The Oregon defensive end could be a possibility for the Packers on day two.
Jordan Burch recently completed a top-30 visit with the Green Bay Packers and has emerged as an intriguing Day 2 draft target, offering a rare blend of size, athleticism, and untapped potential. Currently ranked as a consensus top-100 prospect (typically between picks 50-70), the Oregon defensive end is considered the 10th-best player at his position in a deep edge rusher class.
His unique physical profile — described by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as a “smooth edge rusher in a defensive tackle’s frame” — makes him a versatile chess piece for any defensive scheme.
What is Jordan Burch?
Standing 6’6” and 290 pounds, Burch spent two seasons as a starter in Dan Lanning’s defense at Oregon, primarily aligning as a 7- or 9-technique defensive end while also sliding inside to 3- and 5-technique spots in sub packages. His college journey began at South Carolina, where he played three seasons before transferring to Oregon in 2023, finally joining up with Lanning, who had initially recruited him to Georgia. The COVID-19 eligibility waiver allowed him to play five collegiate seasons, giving him valuable experience against top competition.
Burch’s football roots trace back to Florence, South Carolina, where he was raised by his mother, Henri, and developed into a dominant two-sport athlete. As a youth player, he led his team to consecutive state championships before starring at Hammond School, where he powered the program to three straight 3A state titles (38-2 record).
His high school dominance was staggering—as a junior, he posted 62 tackles, 10 sacks, 680 rushing yards, and 21 touchdowns, followed by a senior campaign with 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and 14 offensive scores. The above video from his high school days shows both his offensive and defensive efforts that landed him at the top of his signing class in 2020. His efforts earned him All-America honors and a captaincy at the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game.
On film, Burch’s physical gifts are undeniable, as you can see in his Mockdraftable spider graph and Combine measurables. He possesses explosive burst off the line, impressive bend for his size, and the raw power to overwhelm blockers with a bull rush. However, his game remains unrefined—his run defense is inconsistent, as he struggles to shed blocks with technique rather than relying solely on strength. As a pass rusher, his upside is evident, but his hand usage and pass-rush plan need development to maximize his potential.
For the Packers, Burch represents a high-risk, high-reward prospect. His rare athletic traits and positional versatility make him an enticing developmental piece, but his inconsistency and occasional motor lapses have dropped him down the consensus boards to the 10th ranked edge in the class.
Fit in Green Bay
While Burch may not be an immediate impact starter, his developmental trajectory makes him an ideal long-term investment for a Packers team that has shown patience with raw, high-upside defenders. Green Bay’s defensive scheme would allow Burch to maximize his unique skill set. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley could deploy him as a movable piece along the front, using his length and power to set the edge against the run while developing him into a more polished pass rusher.
Burch’s path to success will depend on two key factors: technical refinement and consistent effort. NFL coaching should help him develop better hand usage and counter moves to complement his natural explosiveness. If he can improve his block recognition and play with more sustained intensity, he has Pro Bowl-caliber potential.
For a Packers team that needs to bolster its defensive line depth, Burch represents exactly the type of high-ceiling gamble worth taking in the second round. His rare physical tools and positional flexibility give him a high floor as a rotational player, while his untapped potential offers intriguing upside. In a draft class where premium edge rushers will be gone early, Burch could emerge as one of the steals of Day 2 if he lands with the right coaching staff.
Bottom Line
Jordan Burch isn’t a finished product, but his elite physical traits and multi-sport background suggest he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. For a patient team like Green Bay, he could develop into a difference-maker within 2-3 seasons—making him well worth a top-75 selection in this year’s draft.