Amari Burney NFL Draft Scouting Report

LB, Florida Gators

Amari Burney is a fifth-year senior linebacker for the Gators. Burney made the transition from defensive back to linebacker after his freshman season (2018). Making the transition to linebacker, Burney showed to be an athletic, versatile, sideline-to-sideline player who can be an effective tackler in the open field. Burney showed off his versatility in the 2022 season, posting his most productive year and a stat line of 79 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions, making impactful plays in all facets of the game. 

Burney is a versatile defender who can make plus-level plays playing inside and outside linebacker in Florida’s multiple-front scheme. Playing inside linebacker (stack), Burney shows the ability to key and diagnose run plays and work downhill to make tackles near the line of scrimmage. Burney also works well through traffic in the box and makes his way to the ball carrier. When the right opportunity presents itself, Burney can deliver a physical tackle.

As an outside linebacker, Burney shows well against the run in that he does a good job of setting the edge on outside intended runs. Burney has good arm length in that he can get extension and shed offensive linemen when necessary to make a tackle. As a pass rusher from the outside linebacker alignment, Burney has shown some upside and ability to get to the quarterback. Burney has a quick first step to beat offensive linemen around the arc to get to the quarterback. Burney can also retrace his rush and sack the quarterback. 

Burney’s biggest concern as a player comes from his ability to play in space. In one-on-one situations with him and the ball carrier, Burney has struggled to consistently make tackles. Burney also appears to be better in zone coverage in pass coverage versus man coverage. In man coverage, receivers often get separation from Burney and make themselves available for the quarterback. 

Overall, Burney is a versatile defender whose best plays are when he is attacking the line of scrimmage and playing downhill. 

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Positional versatility 
• Experience  
• Position instincts 

Top Reasons For Concern: 

• Block deconstruction 
• Man-to-man coverage

Size (TBD):

Height: 6020

Weight: 228 lbs

Wingspan: TBD

Arm Length: TBD

Hand Size: TBD

Athletic Testing (source):

40-yard Dash: 4.70s

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: TBD

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Versatile second-level defender  

Scheme Fit: Multiple Front

TDN Consensus Grade: 68.00/100 (Sixth-Round Value)

• Sanchez Grade: 68.00/100

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Exposures: Utah (2022), Tennessee (2022), Kentucky (2022), LSU (2022)

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