A 3rd-round pick (71st overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Nevada, Nate Burleson has built an NFL career since. He last played in 2013 with DET, a career spanning 11 NFL seasons. His 56.3 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 72nd percentile among WRs — solidly above average. His burst stands out most — the 90th percentile at the position. Across 11 NFL seasons, he has totaled 458 catches for 5,644 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Size
6'0", 198#
College
Nevada
Draft
Rd 3, 71st overall (2003)
Seasons
2003–2013
2004 ScoutIndex Rating · WR
Methodology91th percentile among WRs · limited sample
16 games · 0 targets
2004 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed45▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burst90▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.
Agility46▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).
Size43▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Receiving
Hands50▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat50▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability50▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share50▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Shareno data▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency50▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume50▶
Total targets this season.
Career (regular season)
Career profile
Across 11 NFL seasons on file, Nate Burleson has played in 131 regular-season games, playing for 3 teams: MIN (2003–2005), SEA (2006–2009), DET (2010–2013).
He has rushed for 257 yards and 0 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 458 passes for 5,644 yards and 39 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2004 with MIN: 1,006 yards and 9 touchdowns in 16 games.
By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2009: a 60.6, in the 78th percentile among WRs that year.
Career highs (regular season)
- Most rushing yards in a game25 vs TB, 2010 Week 15
- Most receiving yards in a game141 on 11 catches, 1 TD vs GB, 2004 Week 10
2004 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 8 | 30 3.8/g | 426 53/g | 3 |
| Away | 8 | 38 4.8/g | 580 73/g | 6 |
| In division | 6 | 28 4.7/g | 539 90/g | 6 |
| Out of division | 10 | 40 4.0/g | 467 47/g | 3 |
| In wins | 8 | 32 4.0/g | 515 64/g | 4 |
| In losses | 8 | 36 4.5/g | 491 61/g | 5 |
| On grass | 5 | 26 5.2/g | 304 61/g | 3 |
| On turf | 11 | 42 3.8/g | 702 64/g | 6 |
| Indoors | 11 | 42 3.8/g | 702 64/g | 6 |
| Outdoors | 5 | 26 5.2/g | 304 61/g | 3 |
2004 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postseason | GB | 4 rec, 60 yds, 1 TD | — |
| Postseason | PHI | 4 rec, 50 yds, 0 TD | — |
| Week 1 | DAL | 3 rec, 34 yds, 0 TD | 40.9 |
| Week 2 | PHI | 9 rush yds, 0 TD · 5 rec, 67 yds, 0 TD | 70.2 |
| Week 3 | CHI | 2 rec, 71 yds, 0 TD | 51.9 |
| Week 5 | HOU | 3 rec, 16 yds, 1 TD | 57.4 |
| Week 6 | NO | 6 rec, 134 yds, 0 TD | 87.7 |
| Week 7 | TEN | 6 rec, 53 yds, 0 TD | 58 |
| Week 8 | NYG | 8 rush yds, 0 TD · 6 rec, 43 yds, 1 TD | 53.2 |
| Week 9 | IND | 1 rec, 8 yds, 1 TD | 50.1 |
| Week 10 | GB | 11 rush yds, 0 TD · 11 rec, 141 yds, 1 TD | 86.7 |
| Week 11 | DET | 5 rec, 52 yds, 1 TD | 68.2 |
| Week 12 | JAX | 2 rec, 21 yds, 0 TD | 41.8 |
| Week 13 | CHI | 10 rush yds, 0 TD · 3 rec, 31 yds, 1 TD | 51.4 |
| Week 14 | SEA | 4 rec, 42 yds, 0 TD | 45.8 |
| Week 15 | DET | 5 rec, 134 yds, 2 TD | 78.6 |
| Week 16 | GB | 11 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 110 yds, 1 TD | 71.3 |
| Week 17 | WAS | 4 rec, 49 yds, 0 TD | 58.2 |
Nate Burleson — common questions
- What position does Nate Burleson play?
- Nate Burleson is listed as a WR.
- Which teams has Nate Burleson played for?
- In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Nate Burleson has played for MIN (2003–2005), SEA (2006–2009), DET (2010–2013).
- Where did Nate Burleson go to college?
- Nate Burleson played college football at Nevada.
- When was Nate Burleson drafted?
- Nate Burleson was selected in round 3, 71st overall, of the 2003 NFL Draft.
- How many touchdowns has Nate Burleson scored?
- Nate Burleson has 39 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (39 receiving).
- What is Nate Burleson's ScoutIndex Rating?
- Nate Burleson rated 56.3 for 2013, the 72nd percentile among WRs. Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.
Related players
Top teammates, last season on file
- Matthew StaffordQB · 2013
- Reggie BushRB · 2013
- Calvin JohnsonWR · 2013
- Joique BellRB · 2013
- Kris DurhamWR · 2013
- Brandon PettigrewTE · 2013
- Joseph FauriaTE · 2013
- Kevin OgletreeWR · 2013
Drafted in round 3, 2003
- Kelley WashingtonWR · pick 65
- Cory ReddingDE · pick 66
- Antwan PeekOLB · pick 67
- Lance BriggsOLB · pick 68
- Jason WittenTE · pick 69
- Gerald HayesLB · pick 70
- Vince ManuwaiG · pick 72
- Wayne HunterOT · pick 73
Also from Nevada
- Romeo DoubsWR · 2022–2026
- Cole TurnerTE · 2022–2026
- Austin CorbettG · 2018–2026
- Emany JohnsonLB · 2024–2026
- Murvin KenionSAF · 2026–2026
- Joel BitonioG · 2014–2025
- Malik ReedLB · 2019–2023
- Ramiz AhmedK · 2022–2022