Oren Burks

ILB · Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers · 26 graded snaps

Replacement

Burks made his mark primarily as an effective core special teamer, though biting on play-action during limited defensive snaps kept his overall grade in the replacement range.

Special teams6823Coverage562Run defense651

The full breakdown

Burks' grade was largely driven by 23 snaps on special teams, where he consistently made an impact in coverage and blocking units. He got off to a quick start by shedding a block to make a solo tackle on the opening kickoff (Q1 15:00) and later forced a punt return out of bounds (Q2 04:40). In limited defensive action, he showed good vision scraping over trash to stop an outside zone run for no gain (Q1 02:23). However, his coverage grade suffered when he bit hard on jet motion and run action, resulting in a 23-yard touchdown (Q1 00:57).

Strengths

Kick and punt coverage discipline
Scraping over interior trash vs. run
Shedding blocks in space

Weaknesses

Biting on run fakes and jet motion

Plays that moved the grade

+1Q1 15:00Shed his block on the boundary side and made a solo tackle on kickoff coverage at the 27-yard line.
+1Q2 04:40, 4th & 3Hustled down the sideline in punt coverage to push the returner out of bounds after a 5-yard return.
-0.5Q1 00:57, 1st & 10Hesitated on jet motion and run action, falling out of position to disrupt a 23-yard touchdown pass.

Every graded snap · 5 wins or losses, 21 routine

+1Q1 15:00 · Special teamsSheds his block on the boundary side, stays disciplined in pursuit, and makes a solo stop on Wetjen at the 27-yard line.
+0.5Q1 02:23 · 2 & 6 · Run defenseScraped over the interior trash promptly to position himself right at the ball carrier as Warren bounced.
-0.5Q1 00:57 · 1 & 10 · CoverageHesitates hard on the jet motion and run action, rendering him out of position to disrupt intermediate routes.
+1Q2 04:40 · 4 & 3 · Special teamsHustles down the sideline in coverage lane and pushes the returner out of bounds after a short 5-yard return.
+0.5Q4 08:45 · Special teamsLocks onto Jack Sawyer and effectively walls off the interior pursuit lane.

Oren Burks's season grades →