Faithful Fan
The Starter
I think you’re wrong about Burks, but I do get the concern about bringing Aiyuk’s drama in the building. Adding a vet free agent is a fine idea, but maybe somebody a little more stable would be advisable.
 }})
2026 Starting Line-up Projections
- Thread starter Neophyte
- Start date
I think you’re wrong about Burks, but I do get the concern about bringing Aiyuk’s drama in the building. Adding a vet free agent is a fine idea, but maybe somebody a little more stable would be advisable.
Anselmheifer
The Starter
We don’t need to talk about traits. In the last 3 years, Burks’ best season has been 16 catches for 221 yards. And that was 3 years ago. Everyone talks about how much promise he showed last year. Last year, Burks caught 10 balls. Ten. When we had essentially zero professional caliber receivers available and were desperate for someone to produce. Give me Luke McCaffrey over Burks 10/10 times. He was better in each of the last 2 seasons.
I’d be ecstatic to be wrong. I just don’t want to bet the season on those odds. We need at least one more guy here that isn’t a lotto ticket. An outside guy to put across from Terry and just be a reliable body that can separate a little, get down the field a little, and catch the ball.
No traits...gotcha. 
Then let's put last year in context then, shall we?
Burks was signed in mid-October coming off a broken collar bone that he suffered in July, early in training camp. He was medically cleared to return from IR and waived on the same day - Oct 7. This means he came to Washington without any practice time since July.
He was elevated to the active roster for the first time against Seattle - a nightmare game for Daniels and the offense. He had 1 catch on 1 target.
The next week he was our leading receiver (3/58 on 3 targets) against the Lions with Mariota under center - a game inwhich we didn't even get 50 total offensive snaps.
I can keep going. If you look at the boxscore for each game what you will see is an offense that is being run by the #2 and/or #3 QB and is clearly designed to target McLaurin/Ertz/Samuel more the entire rest of the team. We all know Kliff had his favs.
To sum up Burks in 2025:
- No training camp - anywhere
- Less than 6 quarters of game time with a less than 100% Jayden Daniels
- 10 catches on 22 targets with ZERO recorded drops
- He was, at best, the #3 option on any playcall and that would have been his first few games before McLaurin returned, then he dropped to #4 behind Terry/Zach/Deebo.
I understand your skepticism. I'm not saying he is definitively the answer. He might be one of those huge potential guys who never figures it out in the NFL.
However, a coaching staff and front office, perhaps sitting on an ever warming chair, had him in house for half a season and decided he was worth bringing back for training camp. Granted, he is on a "prove it" deal (I've never said otherwise) but WR is a position where a lot of guys who got by on physical ability in college take a couple of years to figure things out. Especially when injuries are involved.
I'm caustiously optimistic. Especially considering who else is sitting in the WR room and with the change in OC.
Then let's put last year in context then, shall we?
Burks was signed in mid-October coming off a broken collar bone that he suffered in July, early in training camp. He was medically cleared to return from IR and waived on the same day - Oct 7. This means he came to Washington without any practice time since July.
He was elevated to the active roster for the first time against Seattle - a nightmare game for Daniels and the offense. He had 1 catch on 1 target.
The next week he was our leading receiver (3/58 on 3 targets) against the Lions with Mariota under center - a game inwhich we didn't even get 50 total offensive snaps.
I can keep going. If you look at the boxscore for each game what you will see is an offense that is being run by the #2 and/or #3 QB and is clearly designed to target McLaurin/Ertz/Samuel more the entire rest of the team. We all know Kliff had his favs.
To sum up Burks in 2025:
- No training camp - anywhere
- Less than 6 quarters of game time with a less than 100% Jayden Daniels
- 10 catches on 22 targets with ZERO recorded drops
- He was, at best, the #3 option on any playcall and that would have been his first few games before McLaurin returned, then he dropped to #4 behind Terry/Zach/Deebo.
I understand your skepticism. I'm not saying he is definitively the answer. He might be one of those huge potential guys who never figures it out in the NFL.
However, a coaching staff and front office, perhaps sitting on an ever warming chair, had him in house for half a season and decided he was worth bringing back for training camp. Granted, he is on a "prove it" deal (I've never said otherwise) but WR is a position where a lot of guys who got by on physical ability in college take a couple of years to figure things out. Especially when injuries are involved.
I'm caustiously optimistic. Especially considering who else is sitting in the WR room and with the change in OC.
Last edited:
Anselmheifer
The Starter
No traits...gotcha.
Then let's put last year in context.
Burks was signed in mid-October coming off a broken collar bone that he suffered in July, early in training camp. He was medically cleared to return from IR and waived on the same day - Oct 7. This means he came to Washington without any practice time since July.
He was elevated to the active roster for the first time against Seattle - a nightmare game for Daniels and the offense. He had 1 catch on 1 target.
The next week he was our leading receiver (3/58 on 3 targets) against the Lions with Mariota under center - a game inwhich we didn't even get 50 total offensive snaps.
I can keep going. If you look at the boxscore for each game what you will see is an offense that is being run by the #2 and/or #3 QB and is clearly designed to target McLaurin/Ertz/Samuel more the entire rest of the team. We all know Kliff had his favs.
To sum up Burks in 2025:
- No training camp - anywhere
- Less than 6 quarters of game time with a less than 100% Jayden Daniels
- 10 catches on 22 targets with Zerto drops
- He was, at best, the #3 option and that would have been his first few games before McLaurin returned, then he dropped to #4 behind Terry/Zach/Deebo.
I understand your skepticism. I'm not saying he is definitively the answer. He might be one of those huge potential guys who just never figures it out in the NFL.
However, a coaching staff and front office, perhaps sitting on an ever warming chair, had him in house for half a season and decided he was worth bringing back for training camp. Granted, he is on a "prove it" deal (I've never said otherwise) but WR is a position where a lot of guys who got by on physical ability in college take a couple of years to figure things out. Especially when injuries are involved.
I'm caustiously optimistic. Especially considering who else is sitting on the WR room and with the change in OC.
I hope you’re right.
It’s hard for me to write off the no training camp secondary to injury thing, when injuries have been the theme throughout his career.
It’s like Noah. I think Noah is a good player and I root for him and wish he had panned out. But I wouldn’t bet on next season being my different.
I’m not saying I know more than you, or that I’m absolutely right.
I’m just saying that I don’t want to bet the season on someone breaking the trend and being something different than he’s been for his entire career. Just like I wouldn’t want to bet on McLaurin being a 100 catch , 1400 yard receiver next year.
I want another player on the roster, that o can ask to be the same thing he’s been, and if other people exceed expectations, awesome.
Riggo44
The Team Captain
Well let's be honest, how many receivers would you bet those numbers on? Maybe 5 or 6?
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2009
- Messages
- 55,807
- Reaction score
- 17,399
- Points
- 2,743
- Location
- Greensboro, NC
- Military Branch
- Alma Mater
You're talking potential Bob. He hasn't done much at the NFL level. 10 catches last season. Yes - he is a physical beast, and people get excited over some amazing circus catches. But he has never been even a remotely productive NFL receiver. I would not 'write him off' but if he is a starter that says a lot more about who we have in that WR room than it does about Burks.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
- Messages
- 2,806
- Reaction score
- 4,303
- Points
- 318
- Alma Mater
This is the time of year that everyone takes their stance and digs in on it. So… a lot of these convos are fruitless.
When someone is proven right other parties will say, “ya but…”
It’s a tale as old as time. And as a 23 year veteran of the Redskin forums it’s a yearly, never ending cycle.
I love it. Hence why I still do the forum thing.
When someone is proven right other parties will say, “ya but…”
It’s a tale as old as time. And as a 23 year veteran of the Redskin forums it’s a yearly, never ending cycle.
I love it. Hence why I still do the forum thing.
Dear god, you people are cynical.
Maybe if he is starter it says that he showed up, did the work, and earned it. Maybe that's possible?
The NFL has more than a few guys who looked lost their first 3 or 4 or 5 years but had the physical tools to do the job.
Sam Darnold just won the Super Bowl. Daniel Jones was working on a Pro Bowl year with Indy before his ACL injury. How many of you guys thought either of them would ever be more than #2 QBs that no one wanted to see the field? I admit that I didn't. Not with either of them.
Closer to home, how about Chris Paul? A guy even I, one of the most optimistic people here, didn't see making the 53 last year much less earning the starting LG job.
Here are the numbers for 2 rookie WRs:
- 38/446/3 on 66 targets with a long of 45 (16 games played)
- 33/444/1 on 54 targets with a long of 51 (11 games played)
One of these guys played with Aaron Rogers in his prime and the other played with Ryan Tannehill who was on the downhill slide. Without looking it up, which one is Burks and which one is Davante Adams?
Again, not saying Burks is some kind of messiah figure for our WR room. I recognize that there is a real chance that the young man is walking the street in September instead of playing ball in a B&G jersery.
What I am saying is that fans give up on guys way too damn fast and maybe a little bit of faith, like the team is showing Burks right now, can work wonders.
For the record, I recognize that if the team manages to get Aiyuk (someone I'm not sure we should really want), Burks becomes a long shot to make the team, much less start.
Maybe if he is starter it says that he showed up, did the work, and earned it. Maybe that's possible?
The NFL has more than a few guys who looked lost their first 3 or 4 or 5 years but had the physical tools to do the job.
Sam Darnold just won the Super Bowl. Daniel Jones was working on a Pro Bowl year with Indy before his ACL injury. How many of you guys thought either of them would ever be more than #2 QBs that no one wanted to see the field? I admit that I didn't. Not with either of them.
Closer to home, how about Chris Paul? A guy even I, one of the most optimistic people here, didn't see making the 53 last year much less earning the starting LG job.
Here are the numbers for 2 rookie WRs:
- 38/446/3 on 66 targets with a long of 45 (16 games played)
- 33/444/1 on 54 targets with a long of 51 (11 games played)
One of these guys played with Aaron Rogers in his prime and the other played with Ryan Tannehill who was on the downhill slide. Without looking it up, which one is Burks and which one is Davante Adams?
Again, not saying Burks is some kind of messiah figure for our WR room. I recognize that there is a real chance that the young man is walking the street in September instead of playing ball in a B&G jersery.
What I am saying is that fans give up on guys way too damn fast and maybe a little bit of faith, like the team is showing Burks right now, can work wonders.
For the record, I recognize that if the team manages to get Aiyuk (someone I'm not sure we should really want), Burks becomes a long shot to make the team, much less start.
Last edited:
Riggo44
The Team Captain
Riggo44
The Team Captain
I made this point elsewhere too, pick the best one:
9 games: 11 rec 203 yards, 3 TDs
8 games: 10/130/1
9 games: 15/188/0
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
- Messages
- 2,806
- Reaction score
- 4,303
- Points
- 318
- Alma Mater
It’s kind of funny because the people that are optimistic are viewed as being homers and the people that are cynical/pessimistic are viewed as crazy for having doubts.
The truth, as always, is somewhere in between.
I actually think Burks is going to play well for us. I think he’s likely to have his best season of his career (which… the bar isn’t high) and be a fairly productive member of this team.
I can’t say the same for some of our other receivers…
Buuuuuuuttttttttt… even if he does improve, his sample size is too small to sign for big money and seeing how he’s on a one year deal he’ll probably want a lot more than he’s worth. Now, we’d have the cap because we know we don’t spend it but… we also don’t spend it.
That point aside, I think going into the year DEPENDING on Burks is borderline malpractice. It’s a hope and a prayer with a very positive ending to ‘25.
A positive (not high end) season for me offensively is Jayden throwing for 4k and 2.5k+ rushing as a team.
Receiver wise that means Terry is at 1k, Chig, Williams, Burks, combine for 1.75k, the other receivers/tight ends for 500-700 and the backs for the remainder.
Thats the minimum.
If we throw for 3k or under - blow it up unless we rush for an ungodly total of yards.
3-4k passing just kind of meh.
That's fair, KDawg. Totally.
And based on what we (the fans) have seen, I get everyone's concern. I'm somewhat trusting coaches who saw him on the practice field, in the meeting room, and in the weight room every day for the last 10-11 weeks of last season.
And, I also don't necessarily think they are depending on him. Like everyone else here, I think the team believes Aiyuk will end up in B&G before Labor Day.
Unlike everyone else here, I'm not sure I like the idea of Aiyuk but then what do I know?
Even if Aiyuk doesn't end up here, there are a fair number of experienced guys still out there - Jennings, Hill, Samuel, and Diggs, just to name 4. All of whom could contribute here for a year.
I also agree with your numbers for the most part, although I think Blough is a bigger question mark than the WR room right now.
In 2024, as a Rookie, Daniels threw for just shy of 3.6K and he didn't have a receiver other than McLaurin over 660 yards.
This year? With just the guys on the roster today:
McLaurin is still McLaurin, assuming his health issues were a freak thing that happened because he didn't have a training camp. He had almost 1.1K in 2024. Honestly, I think he can do better than that this year IF Blough is the real deal.
Chig should be an upgrade to Ertz who had 66/654/7
Williams looks to be an upgrade over Zaccheaus who was the #2 WR with 45/506/3
If Burks just matches his rookie per game output and stays healthy for 17 games he will be around 50/700/2 - I'm more worried about his health over 17 games than this output, if I'm honest.
That's 1.75K-ish
This is why I'm currently okay with Burks starting opposite Terry.
But again, a lot depends on Blough and how fast he gets a feel for calling plays.
And yeah, this is why I too still love internet forums.
And based on what we (the fans) have seen, I get everyone's concern. I'm somewhat trusting coaches who saw him on the practice field, in the meeting room, and in the weight room every day for the last 10-11 weeks of last season.
And, I also don't necessarily think they are depending on him. Like everyone else here, I think the team believes Aiyuk will end up in B&G before Labor Day.
Unlike everyone else here, I'm not sure I like the idea of Aiyuk but then what do I know?
Even if Aiyuk doesn't end up here, there are a fair number of experienced guys still out there - Jennings, Hill, Samuel, and Diggs, just to name 4. All of whom could contribute here for a year.
I also agree with your numbers for the most part, although I think Blough is a bigger question mark than the WR room right now.
In 2024, as a Rookie, Daniels threw for just shy of 3.6K and he didn't have a receiver other than McLaurin over 660 yards.
This year? With just the guys on the roster today:
McLaurin is still McLaurin, assuming his health issues were a freak thing that happened because he didn't have a training camp. He had almost 1.1K in 2024. Honestly, I think he can do better than that this year IF Blough is the real deal.
Chig should be an upgrade to Ertz who had 66/654/7
Williams looks to be an upgrade over Zaccheaus who was the #2 WR with 45/506/3
If Burks just matches his rookie per game output and stays healthy for 17 games he will be around 50/700/2 - I'm more worried about his health over 17 games than this output, if I'm honest.
That's 1.75K-ish
This is why I'm currently okay with Burks starting opposite Terry.
But again, a lot depends on Blough and how fast he gets a feel for calling plays.
And yeah, this is why I too still love internet forums.
Faithful Fan
The Starter
The guy with the 3 touchdowns did it on like 30% of the snaps in those 9 games, his 11 catches included two over 30 yards, no drops, no fumbles, 75% catch rate, plus he returns kicks. Add in him being the son and brother of all-pros if you think it means anything.
The second guy took more like 60% of snaps. He had one of the best catches I’ve ever seen but also has a 55% catch rate for his career including an abysmal 45% last year. He was a first round pick, but we should know by now that is no guarantee.
I cannot figure out who the third guy is.
Last edited:
Faithful Fan
The Starter
Sometimes we share in optimism just not about the same players. I could see a 4k yard year for Jayden if he stays healthy, he has some weapons now, more than people think. I’ll be surprised if Burks is higher than LMC and Dyami on the target list though.
Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)
You haven't joined any rooms.