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WR Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks

HT: 6-0, WT: 197, Born: 8-19-1981, College: Nevada-Reno, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: V Jackson (111), O Daniels (112), Nate Burleson (113), T Scheffler (114), D Hackett (115)
Position: S Rice (110-WR41), V Jackson (111-WR42), Nate Burleson (113 - WR43), D Hackett (115-WR44), R Williams (117-WR45)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

Nate Burleson displayed big play ability in 2007, leading the team in receiving TDs with nine. Most of those TDs came on receptions between midfield and the 20-yard line. If Deion Branch is slow to return (or placed on injured reserve) and the young receivers struggle to find rhythm with Hasselbeck, Burleson could evolve into Hasselbeck's main target in 2008. If that happens, Burleson might surpass the 135 targets that Bobby Engram received to lead the team in 2007. More looks mean more opportunities for big plays. Big plays are the key to Burleson having a career fantasy year. If he is able to make those big plays, he could finally accumulate 1000 receiving yards for the Seahawks. If those yards are accompanied by near double-digit TDs, Burleson could be a starting caliber fantasy receiver.

Worst Case

Burleson has a poor career catch-rate (58%). After catching only 50 of his 95 targets, that rate dropped to 52% in 2007. Compare that to Bobby Engram's 70% catch-rate on 135 targets. Moreover, Engram was much more reliable in the red zone than Burleson. Burleson's fantasy numbers evolved from making big plays for touchdowns. There is a downside if the young receivers fail to develop and if Branch fails to return strongly. Burleson could face an inordinate number of double teams and deep coverage help. Taking away the big plays and long touchdowns from Burleson's numbers will leave a famine year for his fantasy owners - in other words, a wasted roster spot.

Outlook

The most likely scenario for Burleson is a season a tad worse than 2007. Hasselbeck makes smart decisions. If he strikes at Burleson downfield, it will be on a play that Burleson should be able to exploit. A part-time starter role on a fantasy squad and streaky scoring against poor pass defenses should be expected. As far as the team goes, Burleson will, in all likelihood, open the year as a starter. Downgrade him in leagues that reward return yardage. A recent interview with Holmgren reveals that those duties will be stripped from him if he is a starting WR.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Jeff Haseley - Burleson had nine regular season TDs in 16 games last year for Seattle, so he is no stranger to the end zone. His role will likely increase even more in 2008, due to DJ Hackett's departure to Carolina, plus Deion Branch's knee recovery issues. Such a shuffle could mean 60-65 receptions. His tendency to score makes him a great mid-round WR to target as a WR4 that could have WR3 or WR2 numbers this year.

Marc Levin - Deion Branch's recovery from injury is questionable and 35 year old receivers like Bobby Engram rarely repeat career years. The only thing dependable in Seattle's passing game is that Matt Hasselbeck makes hay with any receiver. Big play threat Nate Burleson finished as the WR27 in 2007. I do not argue he is a top-20 receiver, but even if he regresses, he is worth more than his current draft spot as the WR46/122nd overall selection.

Jeff Pasquino - There were 11 WRs that had 10 or more touchdowns in 2007, but only two are expected to be drafted outside of the Top 50 players this season. By now you can guess that Burleson is one of them (Reggie Williams is the other), but Burleson also has had his situation drastically improve since last year. With DJ Hackett gone and Deion Branch injured, Burleson may start and put up even bigger numbers.

Aaron Rudnicki - Burleson became a valuable part of the Seahawks offense last year and finished as a top-30 fantasy WR. This year, DJ Hackett has signed in Carolina, Deion Branch is expected to begin the year on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL, and Bobby Engram is a 35 year old coming off a career season. Burleson has an excellent opportunity to improve on his production from last year.

Chris Smith - Burleson had 9 touchdown receptions in 2007 and finished as the 27th best fantasy receiver. With Branch on the shelf with his troubled ACL and D.J. Hackett removed from the picture, Burleson will be at least as good in 2008.

Maurile Tremblay - The Seahawks threw for over 4200 yards last season. I've got them regressing to about 3900 yards this season, but that still leaves a lot of receiving yards to spread among the WRs, given that Hasselbeck tends not to look to the TEs very often. With Deion Branch potentially sidelined during the early part of the season, Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson are the team's best receivers. Each should get over 800-1000 yards and 5-7 TDs if they stay healthy, making them very solid fantasy WR3s in twelve-team leagues. Engram is being drafted as a WR3, but Burleson, as the 46th WR off the board, is being drafted as a weak WR4. In the eleventh round, it's hard to find a better deal.

David Yudkin - The Seahawks have been one of the more potent passing teams in the league in recent seasons. But Deion Branch is still banged up, Bobby Engram is not happy with his contract, and DJ Hackett has moved on, leaving Burleson in a great spot to see more targets and opportunities.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Burleson filled in for the injured Hackett, grabbing two receptions for 41 yards on three targets. He also made big contributions on special teams, with a 56 yard punt return that helped set up Alexander's touchdown run. Burleson did lose a fumble, but Tampa Bay could not capitalize on the ensuing series.

Week 2 - Burleson took over the number two receiver slot from the injured D.J. Hackett and though his end of day numbers were not stellar, he did prove that he belonged, and pulled in a highlight reel touchdown pass in which he fought with the defender after the catch, taking him the six yards needed to get into the end zone. He was used as a deep threat, which accounts for his low percentage of catches/target. Burleson is also a consistent threat as the main punt returner.

Week 3 - Burleson ran hot and cold. The good: he made the game winning touchdown catch look easy -- a well timed throw in tight zone coverage - and showed how in sync he was with Hasselbeck. The bad: Not quite his fault, but a bizarre interception resulted from a pass he was fighting for in mid-air. When he and the defender hit the ground, Burleson lost the ball and it bounced high and into the waiting hands of Madieu Williams. The ugly: The drop that would have been a touchdown. He had it in his hands, as he toed the line at the back of the end zone, but lost control as he hit the ground. Overall, the number of targets, and the fact that Hasselbeck looked his way in the clutch, bodes well for him going forward.

Week 4 - Burleson was relatively quiet in this game with two short grabs, but was targeted once on a deep ball.

Week 5 - Burleson was like every other Seattle receiver: invisible. Once Branch left the game, Burleson had an even harder time getting open.

Week 6 - Burleson was Hasselbeck's favorite target, especially on short to medium routes. Many of his looks were off target, but he also had a few drops. Burleson turned a little Hasselbeck shovel flip pass into a nice run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Week 7 - Burleson was targeted on deep routes twice in the early going, but unsuccessfully. After that, he did not see the ball come his way much at all. His primary contribution this game came as a returner. On punts, he was a threat each time he touched the ball, and on kickoffs, Burleson ran back his first ever return touchdown at the start of the second half. The score was a back-breaker for the Rams, since they were only down by seven to start the half.

Week 9 - Burleson was able to continue to perform in the receiving game as only D.J. Hackett returned, while Deion Branch remained sidelined. Burleson's biggest contribution however came in the return game, where he returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown.

Week 10 - Three of Burleson's four catches went for first downs and included a nice diving catch on a third down play that extended Seattle's first touchdown drive. He also returned five punts for a total of 25 yards.

Week 11 - With the return of Deion Branch to the lineup, Burleson slid to number four on the depth chart, as well as continuing his kick return duties. He made his one catch count however, but the fact that it was his only target is a little worrisome for his prospects going forward.

Week 12 - Burleson's looks were limited, but when he was targeted, the throws were all of the deep variety.

Week 13 - Burleson had the best day receiving of any Seahawk receiver, gaining 71 yards and scoring one touchdown. Most of his yards came on three plays in the first half when he was open and able to slip a couple of tackles to gain extra yards. His touchdown reception was on a play where he was wide open on the Eagles 30 and he made a couple of moves on the defensive backs to reach the end zone untouched.

Week 14 - Burleson had a good game catching five balls for 50 yards and one score. Burleson scored the Seahawk's first touchdown in the first period. His longest reception was 25 yards.

Week 15 - Burleson caught just one pass for 20 yards. His only catch of the game came with under a minute left in the fourth quarter. Seattle tried to run him on a third and three but he was only able to get one yard. On Seattle's field goal drive, he managed to draw a pass interference call that added 24 yards to the drive.

Week 16 - Burleson had a nice game thanks to his 21 yard score off the arm of Matt Hasselbeck to open the scoring in the game. He finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards.

Week 17 - Burleson became the focal point of the offense late in the second half, scoring two touchdowns. He caught nearly everything Wallace threw to him (6 for 7), but was less successful with Hasselbeck (2 for 6).

Week 18 - Nate Burleson started in the three receiver set, and caught six passes for 64 yards. Burleson's biggest play came on a ball thrown down the right sideline that he hauled in for a 25 yard grab. Normally the fourth receiver, Burleson provided Matt Hasselbeck with a reliable target in the absence of Deion Branch. Burleson also looked dangerous in the return game, with a 14 yard punt return average.

Week 19 - Nate Burleson surprisingly started along side Deion Branch in a two receiver set, and caught four receptions for 33 yards on eight targets in the game. Burleson's biggest play of the game came when he caught a ball for a first down along the right side, and broke a few tackles for a 22 yard gain. Otherwise he was fairly quiet, despite the Seahawks in passing mode for much of the game.