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 95th 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
2006 ScoutIndex Rating · WR
Methodology49th percentile among WRs · limited sample
15 games · 0 targets
2006 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed41▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burst95▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.
Agility38▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).
Size39▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Receiving
Hands50▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat51▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability11▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share14▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Share38▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency51▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume48▶
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
2006 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 7 | 10 1.4/g | 78 11/g | 1 |
| Away | 8 | 8 1.0/g | 114 14/g | 1 |
| In division | 6 | 5 0.8/g | 29 5/g | 1 |
| Out of division | 9 | 13 1.4/g | 163 18/g | 1 |
| In wins | 9 | 12 1.3/g | 130 14/g | 1 |
| In losses | 6 | 6 1.0/g | 62 10/g | 1 |
| On grass | 6 | 7 1.2/g | 78 13/g | 1 |
| On turf | 9 | 11 1.2/g | 114 13/g | 1 |
| Indoors | 3 | 2 0.7/g | 41 14/g | 1 |
| Outdoors | 12 | 16 1.3/g | 151 13/g | 1 |
2006 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postseason | DAL | — | — |
| Postseason | CHI | 1 rec, 16 yds, 1 TD | — |
| Week 1 | DET | 1 rec, 36 yds, 0 TD | 48.5 |
| Week 2 | ARI | 1 rec, 7 yds, 0 TD | 42.4 |
| Week 3 | NYG | 4 rec, 42 yds, 1 TD | 51.5 |
| Week 4 | CHI | 1 rec, 19 yds, 0 TD | 47.7 |
| Week 6 | LAR | — | 35.8 |
| Week 8 | KC | 1 rec, 21 yds, 0 TD | 42.8 |
| Week 9 | LV | — | 37.8 |
| Week 10 | LAR | — | 37.6 |
| Week 11 | SF | 1 rec, 5 yds, 0 TD | 37.8 |
| Week 12 | GB | 3 rec, 17 yds, 0 TD | 42.8 |
| Week 13 | DEN | 2 rec, 23 yds, 0 TD | 45.3 |
| Week 14 | ARI | 1 rec, 5 yds, 1 TD | 42.7 |
| Week 15 | SF | 2 rec, 12 yds, 0 TD | 39 |
| Week 16 | LAC | — | 37.7 |
| Week 17 | TB | 1 rec, 5 yds, 0 TD | 37.8 |
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