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 94th 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
2005 ScoutIndex Rating · WR
Methodology55th percentile among WRs · limited sample
11 games · 0 targets
2005 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed40▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burst94▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.
Agility38▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).
Size40▶
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 Shareno data▶
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
2005 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 6 | 18 3.0/g | 208 35/g | 1 |
| Away | 5 | 12 2.4/g | 120 24/g | 0 |
| In division | 4 | 13 3.3/g | 145 36/g | 1 |
| Out of division | 7 | 17 2.4/g | 183 26/g | 0 |
| In wins | 6 | 17 2.8/g | 179 30/g | 1 |
| In losses | 5 | 13 2.6/g | 149 30/g | 0 |
| On grass | 1 | 1 1.0/g | 6 6/g | 0 |
| On turf | 10 | 29 2.9/g | 322 32/g | 1 |
| Indoors | 7 | 20 2.9/g | 234 33/g | 1 |
| Outdoors | 4 | 10 2.5/g | 94 24/g | 0 |
2005 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | TB | 3 rec, 45 yds, 0 TD | 47.7 |
| Week 2 | CIN | 3 rec, 48 yds, 0 TD | 53.1 |
| Week 7 | GB | 3 rec, 37 yds, 0 TD | 56.1 |
| Week 8 | CAR | -2 rush yds, 0 TD · 1 rec, 6 yds, 0 TD | 38.1 |
| Week 9 | DET | 2 rec, 16 yds, 1 TD | 51.1 |
| Week 10 | NYG | -4 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD | 39 |
| Week 13 | DET | 2 rec, 26 yds, 0 TD | 50.8 |
| Week 14 | LAR | 2 rec, 20 yds, 0 TD | 46.7 |
| Week 15 | PIT | 2 rec, 24 yds, 0 TD | 44.9 |
| Week 16 | BAL | 4 rec, 26 yds, 0 TD | 47.7 |
| Week 17 | CHI | 6 rec, 66 yds, 0 TD | 48.6 |
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