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 96th 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
2007 ScoutIndex Rating · WR
Methodology81th percentile among WRs · limited sample
16 games · 0 targets
2007 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed35▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burst96▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.
Agility44▶
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
Hands51▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat50▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability66▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share50▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Share43▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency51▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume49▶
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
2007 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 8 | 28 3.5/g | 349 44/g | 5 |
| Away | 8 | 22 2.8/g | 345 43/g | 4 |
| In division | 6 | 15 2.5/g | 182 30/g | 2 |
| Out of division | 10 | 35 3.5/g | 512 51/g | 7 |
| In wins | 10 | 29 2.9/g | 387 39/g | 5 |
| In losses | 6 | 21 3.5/g | 307 51/g | 4 |
| On grass | 5 | 13 2.6/g | 199 40/g | 2 |
| On turf | 11 | 37 3.4/g | 495 45/g | 7 |
| Indoors | 3 | 10 3.3/g | 178 59/g | 3 |
| Outdoors | 13 | 40 3.1/g | 516 40/g | 6 |
2007 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postseason | WAS | 6 rec, 64 yds, 0 TD | — |
| Postseason | GB | 4 rec, 33 yds, 0 TD | — |
| Week 1 | TB | 3 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 41 yds, 0 TD | 28.4 |
| Week 2 | ARI | 2 rec, 39 yds, 1 TD | 61 |
| Week 3 | CIN | 6 rec, 76 yds, 1 TD | 65.4 |
| Week 4 | SF | 2 rec, 10 yds, 0 TD | 39.5 |
| Week 5 | PIT | 1 rec, 7 yds, 0 TD | 40.2 |
| Week 6 | NO | 6 rec, 63 yds, 1 TD | 61.1 |
| Week 7 | LAR | 1 rec, 12 yds, 0 TD | 40.2 |
| Week 9 | CLE | 4 rec, 59 yds, 0 TD | 60.4 |
| Week 10 | SF | 4 rec, 51 yds, 0 TD | 53 |
| Week 11 | CHI | 1 rec, 4 yds, 1 TD | 46.7 |
| Week 12 | LAR | 1 rec, 20 yds, 0 TD | 44 |
| Week 13 | PHI | 4 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD | 70.7 |
| Week 14 | ARI | 5 rec, 50 yds, 1 TD | 51.6 |
| Week 15 | CAR | 1 rush yds, 0 TD · 1 rec, 20 yds, 0 TD | 42.6 |
| Week 16 | BAL | 3 rec, 52 yds, 1 TD | 59.2 |
| Week 17 | ATL | 7 rec, 119 yds, 2 TD | 85.2 |
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
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- Cole TurnerTE · 2022–2026
- Austin CorbettG · 2018–2026
- Emany JohnsonLB · 2024–2026
- Murvin KenionSAF · 2026–2026
- Joel BitonioG · 2014–2025
- Malik ReedLB · 2019–2023
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