Burton failed to record a single target in Sunday's 34-24 win over the Panthers.
Burton played just four of the Bengals' 67 offensive snaps Sunday, as the rookie wideout continues to be an afterthought in Cincinnati's offense. With Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas all healthy, Burton remains far off the fantasy radar for a Week 5 matchup against the Ravens.
Burton has made some highlight-reel plays in the preseason demonstrating his talent, but he has also at times displayed why he slipped in the draft, raising questions about his professionalism, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
During the preseason, Burton was often on the field late in games, and not with the first two units. One report was an unverified remark by broadcaster Al Michaels of Burton sleeping through meetings, and quarterback Joe Burrow said that Burton needs to "stay in the playbook." Burton is clearly behind Andrei Iosivas right now for the No. 3 receiver role, and Trenton Irwin may also be ahead of the third-round rookie in the pecking order.
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Bengals' Jermaine Burton: Second TD in three preseason games
Rotowire
Burton caught four of five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 27-14 preseason loss to the Colts.
Burton failed to come down with a one-handed catch attempt down the sideline from Logan Woodside in the first quarter after his first catch went for no gain, but the rookie third-round draft pick racked up 35 yards in a three-play span in the third quarter before catching a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth to account for 56 of Woodside's 98 passing yards. Cincinnati didn't play its starters Thursday, so Burton's participation in the game is further evidence that he's behind Ja'Marr Chase (contract dispute), Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas on the wide receiver depth chart heading into the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Patriots. Burton scored two touchdowns in three preseason games, so it may be just a matter of time before he earns a larger role.
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Bengals' Jermaine Burton: Hauls in lone target
Rotowire
Burton caught his lone target for a 19-yard gain in Saturday's 27-3 preseason loss to Chicago.
Burton started and got a lot of playing time early, while Ja'Marr Chase (contract), Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin all were rested. Higgins, Iosivas and Irwin all worked ahead of Burton in the previous preseason game, but Burton came on strong in the second half to finish with a 3-82-1 receiving line on four targets in a loss to the Bucs. While he had a quieter game Saturday against Chicago and may enter Week 1 as a backup, Burton has at least done enough to remind the Bengals why they took him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Starting the season lower on the depth chart doesn't mean he'll stay there all year.
Burton (ankle) is back at practice Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Burton hurt his ankle in practice Thursday and sat out Friday, but the injury appears to have been minor given his ability to get back on the field Sunday. The rookie third-round draft pick is battling for positioning on Cincinnati's wideout depth chart. Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones are all candidates for the No. 3 receiver job for the 2024 campaign.
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Bengals' Jermaine Burton: Cincinnati snatches in third round
Rotowire
The Bengals selected Burton in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 80th overall.
Burton (6-foot, 196 pounds) is a former blue-chip recruit who transferred from Georgia to Alabama, displaying standout talent at both schools but also picking up his share of critics along the way. He developed a reputation for dubious judgement on the field and in the locker room both, and not as many former coaches went to bat for him as they normally would with a player of his abilities. With that said, Burton's fit at the pro level doesn't require much speculation. If he has his head in the game he has the talent to emerge as at least an average starter at some point, and for the Bengals he should be an immediate boost to the deep passing game. With 4.45-second 40-yard dash and impressive hands/tracking ability, Burton could hurt defenses that leave him in single coverage against slower corners.
