Nate Burleson is a career quality starter — a receiver whose body of work places Burleson in the top quarter of all players at the position historically. The Knox model values sustained contribution over flash, and Burleson's career arc reflects exactly that kind of reliable professional-grade performance.

WRDET#13ACT

Nate Burleson

Top 19% all-time WRsElite Playmaker🌅 Early Bloomer · 2004Two-Way Profile

Height6'0"

Weight198 lb

BornAug 19, 1981

Age44

CollegeNevada See College Stats

Rookie yr2003

Draft2003 · Rd 3, Pick 71 · MIN

Archetype Intelligence

Elite PlaymakerExplore archetypes →

A top 20% all-time wide receiver who consistently made an impact across multiple seasons. Lower snap-level production reinforces the playmaking ability.

Career Value · VORP

VORP 101 · #1107 · High-Value

Worth 101 points of value above a freely-available replacement receiver — top 25% of all 4,642 ranked at the position. 7 of 10 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +14.4 on average.See board →

Seasons above replacement

7 cleared

3 replaced

Beat replacement (adds to VORP) Below it — adds 0, never a debit

Replacement

the KC-H bar

→

Seasons over

cleared the bar

+14.4

Avg surplus

peak +24

7 seasons × ~14.4 surplus ≈ VORP 101

Combined Season Grid

The full season-by-season grids, joined on one timeline. Every selected stat family stays visible at once—no tab hopping.

4 grids split in one view

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Receiving									Rushing								Defense													Snap Counts
Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	Fmb	Tkl	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sk	Dis	Int	PD	FF	FR	TD	Sfty	Off	Off%	Def	Def%	ST	ST%
2003	—	MIN	13	—	29	29	455	2	100.0%	15.7	15.7	—	17	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	—	ARI	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2004	—	MIN	16	—	68	68	1,006	9	100.0%	14.8	14.8	—	50	6	49	0	8.2	0.0	4	66.7	0	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005	—	MIN	11	—	30	30	328	1	100.0%	10.9	10.9	—	20	2	-6	0	-3.0	0.0	0	0.0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005	—	NYG	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006	—	SEA	12	—	18	18	192	2	100.0%	10.7	10.7	—	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006	—	SF	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007	—	SEA	16	—	50	50	694	9	100.0%	13.9	13.9	—	37	2	4	0	2.0	0.0	0	0.0	0	3	3	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008	—	SEA	1	—	5	5	60	1	100.0%	12.0	12.0	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	—	SEA	13	—	103	63	812	3	61.2%	12.9	7.9	—	42	2	4	0	2.0	0.0	0	0.0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	—	ARI	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010	—	DET	14	—	86	55	625	6	64.0%	11.4	7.3	—	32	7	81	0	11.6	0.0	5	71.4	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010	—	NE	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011	—	DET	16	—	112	74	771	3	66.1%	10.4	6.9	—	37	11	85	0	7.7	0.0	6	54.5	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011	—	GB	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4	4	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012	—	DET	6	—	43	27	240	2	62.8%	8.9	5.6	—	14	8	48	0	6.0	0.0	2	25.0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013	—	DET	9	—	54	39	461	1	72.2%	11.8	8.5	—	23	2	-8	0	-4.0	0.0	0	0.0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	502	80.0%	—	0.0%	1	3.0%
2013	—	TB	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
Career		—	144	—	598	458	5,644	39	76.6%	12.3	9.4	—	285	40	257	0	6.4	0.0	17	42.5	0	22	22	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	502	80.0%	—	0.0%	1	3.0%

Career EPA329.6·8 rushing · 322 receiving·30.0/season

Rushing

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	VAL
2004	23	MIN	16	—	6	49	8.2	0.0	4	66.7	15.6
2005	24	MIN	11	—	2	-6	-3.0	0.0	0	0.0	4.4
2007	26	SEA	16	—	2	4	2.0	0.0	0	0.0	13.4
2009	28	SEA	13	—	2	4	2.0	0.0	0	0.0	10.8
2010	29	DET	14	—	7	81	11.6	0.0	5	71.4	11.2
2011	30	DET	16	—	11	85	7.7	0.0	6	54.5	11.6
2012	31	DET	6	—	8	48	6.0	0.0	2	25.0	4.5
2013	32	DET	9	7*	2	-8	-4.0	0.0	0	0.0	5.7
Career			101	7*	40	257	6.4	—	17	—	86.3

* GS not available from free sources — SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)

Receiving

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D
2003	22	MIN	13	—	29	29	455	2	100.0%	15.7	15.7	—	17
2004	23	MIN	16	—	68	68	1,006	9	100.0%	14.8	14.8	—	50
2005	24	MIN	11	—	30	30	328	1	100.0%	10.9	10.9	—	20
2006	25	SEA	12	—	18	18	192	2	100.0%	10.7	10.7	—	9
2007	26	SEA	16	—	50	50	694	9	100.0%	13.9	13.9	—	37
2008	27	SEA	1	—	5	5	60	1	100.0%	12.0	12.0	—	4
2009	28	SEA	13	—	103	63	812	3	61.2%	12.9	7.9	—	42
2010	29	DET	14	—	86	55	625	6	64.0%	11.4	7.3	—	32
2011	30	DET	16	—	112	74	771	3	66.1%	10.4	6.9	—	37
2012	31	DET	6	—	43	27	240	2	62.8%	8.9	5.6	—	14
2013	32	DET	9	7*	54	39	461	1	72.2%	11.8	8.5	—	23
Career			127	7*	598	458	5,644	39	76.6%	12.3	9.4	—	285

* GS not available from free sources — SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)

Defense

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tkl	Solo	Sk	Dis	FR
2003	22	ARI	2	—	1	1	0.0	0.0	—
2004	23	MIN	2	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	—
2005	24	NYG	3	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	—
2006	25	SF	2	—	2	2	0.0	0.0	—
2007	26	SEA	4	—	3	3	0.0	0.0	—
2009	28	ARI	2	—	2	2	0.0	0.0	—
2010	29	NE	2	—	2	2	0.0	0.0	—
2011	30	GB	4	—	4	4	0.0	0.0	—
2013	32	TB	2	2*	2	2	0.0	0.0	—
Career			23	2*	22	22	—	—	—

* GS not available from free sources — SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)

Snap Counts

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Off	Off%	Def	Def%	ST	ST%
2013	32	DET	9	7*	502	80.0%	—	0.0%	1	3.0%
Career			9	7*	502	—	—	—	1	—

* GS not available from free sources — SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)

Advanced (EPA)

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA	Rec AirYd
2003	22	—	—	—	—	—	34.0	0
2004	23	—	—	—	—	4.2	96.3	0
2005	24	—	—	—	—	-1.5	28.5	0
2006	25	—	—	—	—	—	15.6	151
2007	26	—	—	—	—	-1.8	63.9	495
2008	27	—	—	—	—	—	6.0	53
2009	28	—	—	—	—	-0.7	20.1	1,113
2010	29	—	—	—	—	3.8	13.2	698
2011	30	—	—	—	—	4.8	19.4	724
2012	31	—	—	—	—	1.2	11.9	320
2013	32	—	—	7*	—	-2.0	13.0	353
Career				7*	—	—	—	3,907

* GS not available from free sources — SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)

KV-H Anatomy

KV-H 62 · Strong Starter

A strong starter career by KV-H: a peak-driven profile that scores 62 of 100, era-normalized against rec yds/g peers across 10 scored seasons.

Sustained

career value

×.6

Peak

best 3 seasons

×.4

×1

Longevity

career length

Blend 62 × longevity 1 = KV-H 62· confidence 98%

What builds the career mark of 58

On-field 41.4

Availability 16.6

On-field production Staying available

Season-by-season quality (era-relative rec yds/g)

2003bestavg 56elite 702013

All-Time Standing

how this career measures against the all-time greats at the position

Depth

of 100

Reached 30% of the all-time Receptions leader — a rotational/depth all-time profile at the position.

30% of the all-time Receptions leader30

1 category ≥25% of the all-time leader33

29.97 EPA/season over 11 seasons60

A 0–100 scale where 100 = matched the all-time leaderat this position. Built only from visible encyclopedia data — career production vs. the all-time leader, plus efficiency (EPA) and comparable-player confidence — so it's a transparent context score, not a subjective rating. Tiers: Elite ≥ 85 · Strong ≥ 65 · Solid ≥ 45 · Depth < 45. Comparable-player confidence: 92%.

Per-Snap Impact

Wide Receivers · proprietary · 2012+

Rotational

SIS

Yards / snap:0.902 ydsSee leaderboard →

Yards/snap0.902Touch rate0.112EPA/snap0.022Snap share80%Off snaps502Emerging

Production per snap — the box score normalized by opportunity. SIS is z-scored within wide receivers, shrinkage-regularized so small samples don't spike, over the NFL snap-count era (2012+).

Career Aging Trajectory

vs. position group average · KV-H basis

Amber = this player (normalized to own peak). Indigo = average wide receivers aging curve. Group peak age: 25. Source: StatVault KV-H era (1999+).

Combine · 2003

Percentiles compare each raw measurement against position peers, the full combine pool, and the same draft class where enough samples exist.

WR · 2003 class

4.51s

40-Yard

Below avg · 39th pct

Pos 39thAll 75thClass Pos 50thClass All 80th

42.5"

Vertical

Elite · 99th pct

Pos 99thAll 99thClass Pos 97thClass All 99th

126"

Broad Jump

Strong · 77th pct

Pos 77thAll 88thClass Pos 78thClass All 88th

6.96s

3-Cone

Below avg · 46th pct

Pos 46thAll 74thClass Pos 61thClass All 84th

4.16s

Shuttle

Above avg · 63th pct

Pos 63thAll 79thClass Pos 69thClass All 78th

Playoff vs Regular Season

📊 Consistent

Yards / Reception: 12.3 regular season → 11.9 playoffs (4 playoff seasons)

-4%

vs reg season

Postseason Career

6 playoff games

Rushing

Att1Yds2Y/A2.01D11D%100.0

Receiving

Tgt24Rec23Yds273TD2Ctch%95.8%Y/R11.9Y/Tgt11.41D13

Defense

Tkl1Solo1

Advanced (EPA)

Rush EPA0.5Rec EPA15.8Rec AirYd125

College Stats

NevadaCollege listed; stat table pending import

College stats are not imported for this profile yet.

StatVault has the verified college attribution (Nevada), but no parsed college box-score table is present in this profile artifact. The section stays here so every profile has a consistent college-stats landing point without fabricating unavailable rows.

Reference Graph

Career teammates and draft class, derived from year-by-year rosters — every name is linked.

2003 Draft Class· this player went #71

#63Teyo JohnsonTE #64Dewayne WhiteDE #65Kelley WashingtonWR #66Cory ReddingDE #67Antwan PeekOLB #68Lance BriggsOLB #69Jason WittenTE #70Gerald HayesLB #72Vince ManuwaiG #73Wayne HunterOT #74Kevin CurtisWR #75Seth WandOT #76Mike SeidmanTE #77Musa SmithRB #78Wade SmithOT #79Kenny PetersonDE

Franchise Succession

the room, before and after

Nate inherited the Detroit Lions WR room from Calvin Johnson (2007–2015), and handed it to Titus Young (2011–2012).

Mark Nichols 1981–1987Pete Mandley 1984–1988Robert Clark 1989–1991Jeff Campbell 1990–1993Willie Green 1991–1993Brett Perriman

Similar Players

Statistical + physical similarity across every player in the database, position-relevant (0–100%).

Movementderived from season history

2013final season
Last recorded season with DET
2010team change
Joined DET (from SEA)
2006team change
Joined SEA (from MIN)
2003draft
Drafted by MIN — Round 3, Pick 71

Athletic & Unique Profile

verified measurements and curated source-tagged facts

6'0" / 198 lb

Frame

197 lb at 4.51s

Size-speed

42.5" vert / 126" broad

Explosion

Injury History

9 career games missed (Out)

From nflverse weekly injury reports · coverage begins 2009.

Season	Team	Games Out	Designations
2013	DET	6	W4Out· ForearmW5Out· ForearmW6Out· ForearmW7Out· ForearmW8Out· ForearmW10Out· ForearmW11Doubtful· Knee
2010	DET	1	W3Out· AnkleW4Doubtful· Ankle
2009	SEA	2	W15Out· AnkleW16Doubtful· AnkleW17Out· Ankle

Knox

StatVault's proprietary player intelligence, informed by full career data. How Knox works →

Historical Knox · KV-H

Era-normalized career quality — z-scored against 10-season peers. See all →

peak 68

Season Report Cards· KV-H era-normalized per season

C+2003

B+2004

C2005

C2006

B2007

B2009

B2010

B2011

D2012

C+2013

Availability

Career durability — games played vs. scheduled, across 11 seasons.

72%

Era Translator

Rec Yds translated to the 2025NFL — each season's standing among its own-era peers, projected onto 2025's scoring environment. Modern-era (1999+) coverage.

Season	Actual Rec Yds	Rec Yds/G	→ 2025 Rec Yds	→ 2025 /G
2003	455	35	446-9	26.2
2004	1,006	62.9	980-26	57.6
2005	328	29.8	288-40	16.9
2006	192	16	7-185	0.4
2007	694	43.4	585-109	34.4
2009	812	62.5	982+170	57.8
2010	625	44.6	656+31	38.6
2011	771	48.2	724-47	42.6
2012	240	40	567+327	33.4
2013	461	51.2	769+308	45.3

Data: nflverse:players, nflverse:player_stats, nflverse:player_stats_def, nflverse:snap_counts, nflverse:combine, nflverse:draft_picks, nflverse:advanced-epa (CC-BY 4.0), nflverse:injuries · multi-source verified via the StatVault Oracle · updated 6/18/2026

Career Value · VORP

101 career value over replacement — #1107 all-time of 4,642. 10.1/season above a replacement-level WR.

Draft OutcomeValue ↑

Pick #71 (Rd 3) · MIN · 2003 · +18.4 vs expected KV-H

62actual

43.6 expected · Δ+18.4

Fan Rating

Rate Nate Burleson — All-Time

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Compare Nate Burleson vs Player Report data error

Nate Burleson

Archetype Intelligence

Career Value · VORP

Combined Season Grid

Rushing

Receiving

Defense

Snap Counts

Advanced (EPA)

KV-H Anatomy

All-Time Standing

Per-Snap Impact

Career Aging Trajectory

Combine · 2003

Postseason Career

Rushing

Receiving

Defense

Advanced (EPA)

College Stats

Reference Graph

Top Teammates

2003 Draft Class· this player went #71

Franchise Succession

Similar Players

Movementderived from season history

Athletic & Unique Profile

Injury History

Knox

Era Translator

Career Geography