Jordan Burch 2025 NFL Draft: Oregon EDGE Scouting Report
In this loaded 2025 NFL Draft class, a standout edge rusher to know is Jordan Burch. He’s a physical pass rusher from Oregon with an explosive first step. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth expert scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Jordan Burch 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Burch came to Oregon as a former five-star recruit out of Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina. While there, he was a dominant force on both sides of the ball. Initially committing to South Carolina, he spent three years with the Gamecocks before transferring to Oregon in 2023. His final two seasons with the Ducks showcased a steady upward trajectory in production and impact. Impressively, he had a standout senior campaign where he earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors. Since high school, Burch’s physical transformation—packing on nearly 15 pounds of muscle—has helped him evolve into a versatile and dominating edge defender.
In the run game, Burch shines when he’s playing downhill. His length and power make him a tough matchup for tight ends and tackles trying to seal the edge. He repeatedly penetrated the backfield against Boise State (2024) to disrupt inside zone runs, finishing with 1.5 TFLs and a sack. However, his high pad level and limited agility become apparent when forced to move laterally or chase from the backside.
Furthermore, Burch plays with a high motor, often pursuing plays outside his immediate area. His effort shows up in pursuit and second-effort sacks, but he occasionally takes plays off when his initial move fails, leading to stalled rushes.
Ultimately, Burch projects best as a strong-side defensive end in a 4-3 defense. There, he could set the edge against the run and use his power to collapse the pocket on passing downs. He could also fit as a 3-4 defensive end in a one-gap system, though his lack of elite agility might limit his effectiveness as a true stand-up edge rusher in a true 3-4 OLB role.
HT: 6041
WT: 279
40: 4.67
ARM: 3178
Strengths:
- Physical Profile: Burch is a physical specimen with a rare blend of size, length, and raw power. At his size, he looks the part of an NFL edge with the frame to potentially slide inside on passing downs.
- Explosive First Step: Despite his size, Burch consistently fires off the ball with a quick first step, often catching tackles off-guard. His get-off allows him to gain leverage early in the snap.
- Run Defense: Burch sets a firm edge against the run, using his length and natural strength to stack and shed blockers. He’s particularly effective when aligned as a 4i or 5-technique, where he can penetrate and disrupt inside runs.
- Power-Based Pass Rush: His go-to move is a bull rush that leverages his lower-body strength to collapse the pocket. He can push tackles back into the quarterback’s lap when he converts speed to power.
- Versatility: Burch has aligned across the defensive front at Oregon, from wide-9 to 3-technique. This flexibility makes him a scheme fit for both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.
Areas for Improvement:
- Pass Rush Technique: While Burch flashes dominance with his power, his hand usage remains underdeveloped. He struggles to disengage when tackles get into his frame, often relying on raw strength rather than refined counters.
- Lateral Agility: Burch’s size can work against him when asked to move laterally in space. He sometimes tends to play high, losing leverage against quicker tackles who can redirect him outside the pocket.
- Inconsistency in Finishing: Burch doesn’t always finish plays despite generating pressure. His sack numbers are solid, but he leaves opportunities on the field due to poor bend around the edge and a lack of secondary moves.
- Injury Concern: Burch dealt with a knee issue in 2024 that caused him to miss three games. While not considered a long-term concern, it slowed his momentum in the second half of the season.
Conclusion:
Overall, Burch is a high-upside prospect with the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. However, his game requires refinement to reach its full potential. If he lands with a team that can develop his pass-rush arsenal and improve his hand usage, he could become a reliable starter within 2-3 years. For now, he’s a Day 2 pick with the ceiling to outperform his draft slot if the right pieces fall into place.
Burch’s tape shows a player who wins early in the down with his burst and power. Against Michigan State (2024), where he earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors, he racked up 2.5 sacks by consistently beating tackles with a quick first step and a devastating long-arm move. However, against more technically sound tackles (e.g., Ohio State), his lack of hand-fighting skills and bend allowed opponents to recover and neutralize him after the initial push.
Early in his NFL career, Burch will likely be a rotational edge defender who contributes on early downs as a run-stopper and situational pass-rusher. With coaching and technical refinement, he has the upside to develop into a three-down starter.
Ultimately, a reasonable comp for Burch is a slightly less explosive version of Leonard Williams early in his career. That being, a big, powerful lineman with edge-to-interior versatility but needing polish to maximize his pass-rush potential. Look for him in Round 3 of the highly anticipated 2025 NFL Draft.
Round Grade: 3rd Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sk | Int | PD | FR | FF |
| 2020 | South Carolina | 8 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021* | South Carolina | 13 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022* | South Carolina | 13 | 32 | 28 | 8 | 3.5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023* | Oregon | 14 | 13 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Oregon | 10 | 13 | 18 | 11 | 8.5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 58 | 81 | 89 | 33 | 16 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
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