Matt Miller believes DJ Burns could play in NFL
As preparations for the Final Four wrap up and players hit the stage to discuss the upcoming matchups, all eyes are on NC State‘s DJ Burns. He can’t go anywhere without drawing a crowd these days.
Such is the case when you’re one of the key figures on a team that won five straight games to reach the NCAA Tournament, then won four straight to get to the Final Four.
It’s one of the most improbable streaks in modern college basketball history. From out of the Big Dance to into the Final Four.
Burns, meanwhile, has been a one-man wrecking crew at times. At a listed 6 foot 9, 275 pounds, he’s been unstoppable in the paint. His wide lower body makes it possible for him to muscle around players in the paint in a way few can.
It’s also gotten many to wonder whether he could be drafted in football, too.
“Oh I think so. He’s listed at 6-9. I’ve never seen him in person, so 6-7, 285, please give this man to Jeff Stoutland and let him become a left tackle in the NFL,” ESPN’s Matt Miller said. “And I think you could even look at someone like Jordan Mailata, who is the Eagles’ left tackle, who didn’t play football but now is one of the better left tackles in the game.”
DJ Burns has been great for NC State this season, averaging 13.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He’s a great passer, too, averaging 2.9 assists per contest.
Still, his upside as a professional could be somewhat limited. His size, while allowing him to bully defenders in college, won’t necessarily be as big an asset in the NBA.
But some of his basketball skills might very well translate to football, Miller pointed out.
“I was listening to a podcast recently and Lane Johnson said basketball agility and pass pro agility are very, very similar in that it kind of gives you that mental picture, which helps me a lot, of like visualizing things,” the ESPN NFL Draft analyst said. “It really is. If you can slide defensively, you can slide and mirror a pass-rusher. Length is important, timing is important.”
DJ Burns’ coach, of course, has other ideas. At least for now. With a Final Four on the line, all talk about football needs to take a back seat.
“No way he’s going to play football,” coach Kevin Keatts said, according to USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken. “He’s got great touch. He’s a teddy bear off the court.”
Still, it’s hard to see Burns do what he does on a basketball court and not wonder what his physical limits might be in a more imposing contact sport like football.
He’s a huge dude.
And there would almost certainly be some interest if DJ Burns ever did want to give football a shot.
“If DJ wants to try for football, I would love to be at that workout,” Miller said. “We all text with scouts and we’re all watching the same things at night. ‘Man, this guy kind of looks like a left tackle.’ I’ve had some people say defensive tackle. I think he’s a little tall for that. You’re going to lose leverage pretty quickly at 6-7.5.
“But I would love to see him try for an offensive tackle, and I’m not a hoops scout, I’m not NBA Draft scout, but watching him play that was my first thought: This guy looks like an offensive tackle to me.”