Unpacking Future Packers: No. 63, Texas DE Ethan Burke
· Yahoo Sports
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected one player who wasn't at the NFL Scouting Combine. That player was Micah Robinson, whom the Packers selected with the 237th overall pick.
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A player prospect who wasn't invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that the Packers could target on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Ethan Burke. The Texas edge rusher checks in at No. 63 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A native of Texas, Burke recorded 1.5 tackles for loss during his first season with the Longhorns. In 2023, Burke recorded 41 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The following season, Burke recorded nine tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and four pass deflections. This past season, Burke recorded 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks.
"Burke was the type of glue guy every great defense needs and it’s not a coincidence Texas’ defense success has coincided with his being an impact player on the defense, not just this season but over his three years as a primary contributor," Eric Henry, a Texas beat reporter for Horns247, said. "He blocked two kicks this season (three for his career) both of which played a major role in Texas winning those contests."
At 6-6, 269 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, Burke certainly looks the part of an NFL defensive end. The Texas defensive end is a force at the point of contact. He has quick, powerful hands and powerful legs to force his way into the backfield. He has a motor that doesn't turn off and he's always in pursuit of the football. Despite never being a full-time starter, Burke had outstanding backfield production. Over the past three seasons, Burke recorded 25 tackles for loss and 58 run stops.
"Burke isn’t just the player who will set the edge or be around the ball – he’s capable of shedding blockers and making the play himself," Henry said. "When you look at his size, he is more than physically capable; however, it’s his instincts and length that give him an advantage. Burke has an 83-inch wingspan, which helps make him a matchup nightmare."
Burke isn't a twitched-up edge rusher; however he has adequate initial quickness and converts speed to power. He has the brute strength to drive offensive tackles backwards and heavy hands to deliver thunder. He's a crafty edge rusher who uses active hands to keep himself clean. This past season, Burke recorded 26 pressures to go along with his three sacks.
"This is an area of his game that has been solid over the past three seasons, but never quite moved into the category of good or great," Henry said. "Part of that is simply the role he played on the defense. In 2023, then-freshman linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. emerged as the main pass-rush threat, followed by the last two seasons of fellow edge Colin Simmons... In 2024, Trey Moore was brought in from UTSA to be a premier pass-rusher and over the last two seasons, Moore was part of Texas’s NASCAR package, which limited the number of opportunities Burke had to record sacks. Overall, I see him as a three-down player who has room to grow as a pass-rusher, but he’s likely never going to be a double-digit sack player."
Burke would provide an impact on special teams. During his time with the Longhorns, he logged 427 snaps on special teams.
Fit with the Packers
In Micah Parsons, the Packers have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Now, they need to add reinforcements to that room.
Kingsley Enagbare is set to hit the open market and if he's not re-signed, it would open the door for Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver to take on more snaps.
Another potential departure could be Rashan Gary. It's possible that the former first-round pick could be a cap casualty. However, the way Gutekunst spoke about Gary at the combine yesterday, the door remains open that the former Michigan Wolverine will be in Green Bay to start the 2026 season.
With or without Gary, the Packers will likely look to add another body to their defensive end room this offseason and Burke could be an ideal target on Day 3. He's a steady player who won't get bullied off his spot against the run, and he's a savvy pass rusher who may never post 10-plus sacks in a season, but as part of a rotation, he could post 5 to 7 sacks a season. On top of all that, he'd provide an impact on special teams. Adding a player like that late on Day 3 is incredibly valuable.
"Ethan Burke checks all of the boxes of a player who maybe isn’t a selection in rounds one through three, but come the fourth or fifth round, you’re getting tremendous value with zero character concerns," Henry said. "Quite frankly, I believe Burke’s best football is ahead of him, especially considering lacrosse was his primary sport until his junior year of high school. I’m surprised he didn’t get a combine invite, but if he can test well come pro day, Burke might make it into round three."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 63, Texas DE Ethan Burke