ScoutIndex

DET DET

Nate Burleson

WR

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

2012 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
50.3

65th percentile among WRs

6 games · 43 targets

Role×0.14+0.14
Hands×0.1-0.43
Volume×0.12-0.13
Total EPA×0.22+0.19
EPA/target×0.3+0.52
Yards/target×0.12-1.21

2012 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed37▶

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.

Agility54▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).

Size38▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands79▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat8▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability19▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share65▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share36▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency78▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume56▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2013DET56.39-8394611
2012DET50.3648272402
2011DET53.91685747713
2010DET531481556256
2009SEA60.6134638123
2008SEA42.315601
2007SEA59.1164506949
2006SEA44.815181922
2005MIN47.911-6303281
2004MIN75.516496810069
2003MIN50.414294552

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)

2012 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home2
11
5.5/g
120
60/g
0
Away4
16
4.0/g
120
30/g
2
In division2
6
3.0/g
67
34/g
0
Out of division4
21
5.3/g
173
43/g
2
In wins2
10
5.0/g
93
47/g
1
In losses4
17
4.3/g
147
37/g
1
On grass4
16
4.0/g
120
30/g
2
On turf2
11
5.5/g
120
60/g
0
Indoors2
11
5.5/g
120
60/g
0
Outdoors4
16
4.0/g
120
30/g
2

2012 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1LAR6 rush yds, 0 TD · 6 rec, 69 yds, 0 TD58.7
Week 2SF5 rush yds, 0 TD · 1 rec, 11 yds, 0 TD42.2
Week 3TEN7 rush yds, 0 TD · 10 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD65.9
Week 4MIN8 rush yds, 0 TD · 5 rec, 51 yds, 0 TD56.2
Week 6PHI22 rush yds, 0 TD · 4 rec, 24 yds, 1 TD44.4
Week 7CHI1 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD41.1

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

Drafted in round 3, 2003

Also from Nevada