If you somehow managed to make it through 3 hours of the NFL Draft, then you saw the Rams address another area of need. With their final pick of day two, the Rams took Utah safety Terrell Burgess to help out their secondary.
Scouting Report
The first thing that stands out about Burgess is his speed: the guy can flat out run. At the combine, he recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, which put him in the top 5 of all safeties in the draft. That speed is put on display when he chases down receivers, and should translate well at the next level.
Another thing to note is that he can play both on the line and as a deep safety. He has the strength to break the line and rush the passer, which will be a welcome sight for LA. His football IQ and quick reads allow him to break up a lot of plays that other safeties or corners wouldn’t get to.
The only thing keeping Burgess from being a slam dunk pick is his size. While he has the speed and athleticism to keep up with most receivers, his height puts him at a disadvantage on 50/50 balls. His ability to read plays will be crucial in helping him be in the right place to make plays.
Final Thoughts
Most scouts agree that Burgess can be a starter in the league from day 1, but the Rams have the option to bring him along slowly if they wish. He was only a full-time starter for one year at Utah, so he could use a bit more development. Overall, another solid but not splashy selection for the Rams front office. After not having a single pick in the first round, the Rams ended the night quite well by addressing their defensive holes.
