NFL Draft: Bengals Select Running back Rex Burkhead in 6th-Round
By Jason Marcum
January 01, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead (22) celebrates after a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half of the Capital One Bowl at The Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
With the 190th-pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead. In his junior season, Burhead rushed for 1,357 yards and scored 15 touchdowns with 21 catches for 177 yards and 2 TDs.
A knee injury limited him to just 675 yards and 7 scores this past season.
Excited to be a part of the @Bengals organization! Can't wait to go to work in Cincy. Thanks to everybody for all your support!
— Rex Burkhead (@RBrex34) April 27, 2013
Bengals will love Rex Burkhead. Tough guy, will be good on special teams. under-rated back who can catch, too.
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) April 27, 2013
Burkheds' quickness is starter-caliber. Ahmad Bradshaw quick. Seriously look at tape and then look at Combine 4.09 20 and 6.85 3 Cone.
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) April 27, 2013
College Statistics
Year
Class
Att
Yds
Avg
TD
Rec
Yds
Avg
TD
Plays
Yds
Avg
TD
2009*
FR
81
346
4.3
3
13
90
6.9
1
94
436
4.6
4
2010*
SO
172
951
5.5
7
15
148
9.9
0
187
1099
5.9
7
2011*
JR
284
1357
4.8
15
21
177
8.4
2
305
1534
5.0
17
2012*
SR
98
675
6.9
5
11
92
8.4
2
109
767
7.0
7
Career
635
3329
5.2
30
60
507
8.5
5
695
3836
5.5
35
"STRENGTHSSlasher who uses his foot quickness to find his way through traffic to move the chains. In one-back or two-back sets, can start with the flow then cut back into a running lane, spinning through trash on his way to consistent four or five-yard rushes. His lateral quickness comes into play when penetrating defenders look to corral him; somehow he finds a way to cut left or right to run away from their waiting arms. There’s no questioning his toughness, carries the mail 30 times a game and gives great effort trying to use his good lean to plow through arm tackles for extra yardage. Not used as a receiver very often, but his solid hands, quickness and agility will make him a valued weapon in the passing game. Those hands make him a solid safety valve punt returner, as well, even if he hasn’t yet shown explosiveness in that duty.WEAKNESSESNot the most powerful of backs, NFL defenders will stone him at the point of attack more regularly than their college counterparts because of his average lower-body strength. Leggy runner who can look out of control at times, though he usually manages to keep his balance. His pass protection form is inconsistent; sometimes he will hold his ground and throw a shoulder into a blitzer, but veteran rushers will easily elude his attempts to lie at their feet.NFL COMPARISONMewelde MooreBOTTOM LINEBurkhead is a high-motor, high-character back who does everything coaches ask of him. He possesses the quickness and strength to be a solid NFL reserve back capable of contributing in a committee. However, Burkhead’s 4.73 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine won’t do him any favors."
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