Cornerback Juston Burris was the third Wolfpacker to hear his name called during the 2016 NFL Draft, coming off the board in the fourth round to the New York Jets with the 118th overall pick.
He played in every game during his NC State career and started each contest in the last three years, totaling 43 in his career. He finished with five interceptions and 27 pass breakups, but allowed only a 34.1 completion percentage as a senior, according to NFL.com. The 6-0, 212-pounder defended eight passes and allowed just one touchdown in 44 targets.
"[He's a] long corner, I was introduced to him live at the East-West [Shrine] Game, watching practice every day for a week," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said after the pick. "I came away impressed with — for his length — his movement skills. I'm not sure whether they're looking at him as a corner or a safety because there's been conversation for each, but with these long corners you typically try them outside first.
"Now, what do they have at corner? [Darrelle] Revis is 31, Buster Skrine is an inside guy, Dee Milliner — former first round pick — has been inconsistent at best. This is kind of an interesting pick and I think fits what Todd Bowles wants to do defensively."
Burris played inside as a nickel during his redshirt freshman season in 2012, starting five contests and leading the team in pass breakups (despite the presence of current NFL players David Amerson and Dontae Johnson). He also led the team in pass breakups the following campaign with playing outside. The local product out of Broughton High ended his career by starting 41 straight contests.
He was the 19th cornerback selected in the event and the fifth from the ACC. College teammates Joe Thuney, an offensive guard, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett were both selected by the Patriots in the third round and represented the league's first off the board at their respective positions.
NC State's three draft picks mark the school's most since producing a trio in 2013 — they had just one the next two years. The three selections in the first 118 picks are the best for the Wolfpack since 2007, when defensive tackle MeDarcus Tyler, cornerback A.J. Davis and center Leroy Harris were tabbed in the top 115 selections.
