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
2009 ScoutIndex Rating · WR
Methodology78th percentile among WRs
13 games · 103 targets
2009 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed31▶
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.
Agility51▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).
Size37▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Receiving
Hands77▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat40▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability54▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share81▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Share87▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency65▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume86▶
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
2009 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 6 | 36 6.0/g | 450 75/g | 3 |
| Away | 7 | 27 3.9/g | 362 52/g | 0 |
| In division | 6 | 22 3.7/g | 260 43/g | 1 |
| Out of division | 7 | 41 5.9/g | 552 79/g | 2 |
| In wins | 5 | 29 5.8/g | 347 69/g | 3 |
| In losses | 8 | 34 4.3/g | 465 58/g | 0 |
| On grass | 3 | 7 2.3/g | 96 32/g | 0 |
| On turf | 10 | 56 5.6/g | 716 72/g | 3 |
| Indoors | 5 | 19 3.8/g | 285 57/g | 0 |
| Outdoors | 8 | 44 5.5/g | 527 66/g | 3 |
2009 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | LAR | 7 rec, 74 yds, 1 TD | 47.4 |
| Week 2 | SF | 4 rec, 46 yds, 0 TD | 31.7 |
| Week 3 | CHI | 2 rush yds, 0 TD · 9 rec, 109 yds, 0 TD | 68.8 |
| Week 4 | IND | 4 rec, 31 yds, 0 TD | 44.5 |
| Week 5 | JAX | 6 rec, 98 yds, 2 TD | 89.5 |
| Week 6 | ARI | 2 rec, 40 yds, 0 TD | 50.1 |
| Week 8 | DAL | 6 rec, 89 yds, 0 TD | 45.3 |
| Week 9 | DET | 7 rec, 75 yds, 0 TD | 63.3 |
| Week 10 | ARI | — | 25.7 |
| Week 11 | MIN | 6 rec, 100 yds, 0 TD | 72.4 |
| Week 12 | LAR | 4 rec, 46 yds, 0 TD | 69.5 |
| Week 13 | SF | 5 rec, 54 yds, 0 TD | 51.9 |
| Week 14 | HOU | 2 rush yds, 0 TD · 3 rec, 50 yds, 0 TD | 61.9 |
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