Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton’s NFL Draft selection by the Cincinnati Bengals was not your typical pick. In a departure from the norm, former players were chosen to announce most of the selections in the second and third rounds. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a former Bengals player, took to the stage in Detroit on Friday night and shared a personal connection to the pick he was about to announce.
“This pick means something to me as I’ve been training this kid for a long time, and now he’s going to be drafted by the Bengals,” Houshmandzadeh declared to the crowd before revealing Cincinnati’s choice of Burton with the 80th overall pick.
“That’s honestly kind of crazy if you think about it like that,” Burton remarked. “I just look at it as a blessed moment.”
Houshmandzadeh, who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Bengals and led the league in receptions in 2007, has been instrumental in Burton’s training journey.
“It’s honestly amazing having T.J. train me during these past few years, even going into college,” Burton expressed. “Working with him is honestly great. Just to know his history and his background with the game of football and his knowledge on it and to see the way he thinks, the way he puts it into the drills and the way he talks to you and his terminology, it really helps me. And we also developed a relationship to the point where we talk about other things, just life things and just a lot of maturity and growth.”
The Bengals boast one of the NFL’s top wide-receiver tandems in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Despite the departure of Tyler Boyd, who had a productive season in 2023, Cincinnati’s coach Zac Taylor remains optimistic about the depth and talent of the team’s receiving corps.
In his three seasons with the Bengals, Chase has amassed 268 receptions, 3,717 yards, and 29 touchdowns, while Higgins, in four seasons, has recorded 257 receptions, 3,684 yards, and 24 touchdowns.
“Those guys have great skill sets and unreal ability and talent,” Burton remarked. “I feel like we can all complement each other and achieve some significant accomplishments.”
Burton expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside quarterback Joe Burrow, emphasizing how blessed and honored he feels to have the chance to contribute to the Bengals’ success.
Burton’s versatility and explosiveness make him a valuable asset for the Bengals’ offense. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher highlighted Burton’s ability to threaten defenses both deep down the field and over the middle, emphasizing his skill in separating from defenders and making difficult catches. Pitcher also mentioned Burton’s potential to play in the slot, filling the role previously held by Tyler Boyd. With Burton’s diverse skill set, the Bengals aim to create mismatches and maximize their offensive potential.
Jermaine Burton’s performance on tape impressed the Bengals coaching staff, showcasing his competitiveness, energy, and versatility as a receiver. Head coach Zac Taylor highlighted Burton’s well-rounded skill set, noting his ability to make plays both outside and inside, as well as his knack for finishing in the end zone. Additionally, Burton’s reliability stood out, as Taylor mentioned that he didn’t observe any drops on Burton’s tape from the 2023 season. With his strong attributes and competitive nature, Burton is expected to make a valuable contribution to the Bengals’ receiver room.