Joe Burnett SELECTED BY: Steelers Round 5 (32)

SI Grade 3.39 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Four-year starter awarded all-Conference honors at both cornerback and return specialist since his freshman season. Defensive totals last year included 44/4/11 when he also averaged 28.7 yards on 26 kick returns with two scores and a 14.5 yard average on 26 punt returns. Junior defensive totals included 64/6/12 with 50/1/3 as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Solid cover cornerback who brings the element of a return specialist to his game. Physical, aggressively comes up the field to defend the run or mixes it up with opponents out of routes. Displays good awareness, has a burst of closing speed, and possesses good ball skills. Quickly breaks to the pass, and he is a hard hitter who lays his body on the line to stop opponents.

NEGATIVES: Not fluid pedaling in reverse, and does not possess the top-end speed. Coming off a disappointing senior campaign.

ANALYSIS: Burnett has been very productive on the college level and nicely projects to the NFL as a sixth or seventh defensive back that will be used to return punts or kicks. He lacks the great upside, yet he has enough skill to be a productive player for an NFL team.

PROJECTION: Sixth Round