When the Indianapolis Colts walked away from the 2026 NFL Draft with eight new players, the buzzword around their haul was clear: value. While their first two selections—linebacker CJ Allen and safety A.J. Haulcy—were seen as steals, it was the very last pick that has draft analysts buzzing the most.

With the 254th overall pick in the seventh round, the Colts snagged wide receiver Deion Burks. And according to longtime draft experts Todd McShay, Daniel Jeremiah, and Dane Brugler, this might be the biggest bargain of the entire draft. Both McShay and Jeremiah named Burks as their favorite pick of Round 7, while Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic highlighted Burks as one of three receivers on his "best-value" roster, based on Brugler's draft guide, "The Beast."

At 5'9" and 180 pounds, Burks might not have the prototypical build of a No. 1 receiver, but his game is anything but small. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he turned heads with elite athleticism: a 4.3-second 40-yard dash (with a blistering 1.49-second split), a 42.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10'11" broad jump. Those numbers scream explosive playmaker.

His film backs it up. Burks has the speed to take the top off a defense, but his real magic comes after the catch. He can turn a simple three-yard slant into a 50-yard touchdown, using his quickness and power to break tackles and create big plays. Interestingly, his most productive college football came during his time at Purdue (2021-2023), where he forced 17 missed tackles in his final season—more than he managed in two combined seasons at Oklahoma (14). That kind of yards-after-catch ability is a game-changer.

So why did a player with top-100 talent fall to the seventh round? The answer lies in consistency. While Burks' athleticism is undeniable, evaluators wanted to see it more regularly on tape. His production dipped after transferring to Oklahoma, and his smaller frame raises questions about durability at the next level. But for a Colts team that loves finding hidden gems, Burks represents a high-upside gamble that could pay off in a big way.

Whether he becomes a reliable slot weapon or a dynamic return specialist, one thing is certain: the Colts may have just found their diamond in the rough.