Travis
Burke.
Travis
Burke.
Memphis· 6'9"· 325 lb· 5.17s 40
R4 · #117 · Los Angeles Chargers"Long-limbed 6'9" three-school swing tackle whose 34¼" arms and finisher demeanor bought him a Day-3 developmental grade — Chargers bet on frame and Shrine Bowl reps producing a two-spot backup."Pre-draft read
He aligns as a right tackle and allows speed rushers up the arc, then employs a two-hand swipe punch that stalls their turn. In pass protection, he wins with base and length over quick-set punch timing, favoring a vertical set that maximizes his frame and top-of-the-arc catch point. He excels in phone-booth reps, absorbing power, and mirroring inside-out through the second hand.
In the run game, he leverages his frame to wall off backside cutbacks in inside zone, covering 5-techniques and climbing to the second level. He latches through the whistle and finishes with base under him, avoiding lunging. However, he can become a waist-bender under duress with segmented recovery. Late hands and heavy feet emerge against twists and inside counters, and his true short-area quickness remains a question in his mirror.
The West Coast timing offense, a pass-heavy scheme based on precise routes and a strong running game, places a premium on offensive linemen who can protect the quarterback with quick sets and hold their ground against various rush techniques.
Initially a developmental swing tackle with a high ceiling as a starting right tackle who can anchor a pass protection unit.
A wide-9 attacking front where he's exposed to consistent speed-to-power rushers and struggles with immediate recovery.
Travis Burke projects best to a vertical-set scheme that allows his length and natural feel for pass-rush arcs to stall defenders rather than a system requiring quick, aggressive horizontal sets.
4th Round Draft Pick T Travis Burke College Highlights | LA Chargers
Team-produced college reel released after the Chargers traded up for Burke at 117 overall.
Travis Burke Right Tackle Highlights
Right tackle cut-up showing top-of-the-arc catch point, run finishes and phone-booth pass sets at Memphis.
Travis Burke | Memphis Offensive Tackle | 2025 Season and NFL Draft Tape
2025 Memphis-only tape emphasizing pass-pro reps, inside zone climbs and second-level finish.
Burke projects as a developmental swing tackle whose upside is tied to his 34¼" arm length and frame. Teams invested in his physical tools and a finisher's mentality, hoping to refine his technique and footwork to a starting-caliber level. His path suggested a patient approach, with an initial role likely as an emergency option before potentially growing into a long-term backup with spot-start capability.
His college career was a journeyman's path, spanning three schools and accumulating 46 career starts. After redshirting at Gardner-Webb, he started 13 games there, then transferred to FIU for 22 starts across two seasons. He concluded his college career at Memphis, where he made 11 starts at right tackle, earning first-team All-American Conference honors despite missing two games due to injury.
Evaluators flagged his transition from lower-level competition and questioned his short-area quickness and recovery skills against faster edge rushers. Despite a Day-3 consensus, his unique length and demeanor secured invitations to both the Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, leading to him being drafted in the fourth round.
- 01
Exceptional Arm Length
34¼" arms and 6'11⅝" wingspan create a natural catch point, stalling speed-rush arcs before they turn the corner.
- 02
Solid Frame and Bend
Carries 325 pounds well, plays with functional bend for a 6'9" tackle, and maintains anchor against bull rushes effectively.
- 03
Run Block Finisher
In-line run blocker who latches through the whistle, driving defenders into second-level bodies with a stable base.
- 04
Extensive Starting Experience
Accumulated 46 career starts across three schools, showcasing experience at both left and right tackle positions.
- 05
Recognized Performance
Earned first-team All-American Conference honors in his final season at Memphis and received Shrine Bowl and Combine invites.
- 01
Vulnerable to Inside Counters
Late hands and heavy feet emerge against twists and inside counters, especially after selling a wide vertical set.
- 02
Segmented Recovery
Waist-bender under duress with segmented recovery; when the initial punch misses, he leans and reaches with the upper body.
- 03
Questionable Competition Level
Transition from lower-level competition (FCS, then Group of Five) limits high-level edge reps against elite talent.
- 04
Durability Concerns
Missed two 2025 games due to injury, raising questions about his durability profile over a 17-game NFL schedule.
— — — positional median (p50)
- 40 yd
- 5.17sp50
- Vertical
- 27inp50
- Broad jump
- 107inp50
- Three-cone
- —s
- Shuttle
- —s
- Bench
- 24repp50
| Yr | Team | G |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Gardner-Webb | 1 |
| 2022 | Gardner-Webb | 13 |
| 2023 | FIU | 11 |
| 2024 | FIU | 11 |
| 2025 | Memphis | 11 |
| Career | — | 60 |
A dash means the figure is not published by a source we trust — never a zero we invented.
6'8" journeyman swing tackle whose length and steady technique unlock a long backup / spot-starter career at both tackle spots.
Long, developmental Group of Five tackle who grew into a decade-long two-spot starter on the strength of technique, IQ and durability.
Length-and-frame Power Five swing tackle whose short-area limitations kept him bouncing between backup and practice-squad roles.
Everything above is the pre-draft evaluation. This section is what actually happened — updated year over year.
Chargers traded up (sent picks 123 and 204 to Houston) to grab a 6'9" swing tackle developmental piece for the team's line room, betting on frame plus 34¼" arms and Shrine Bowl reps rather than a clean small-school résumé.
Realistic 2026 role is emergency-only sixth OL behind Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt and the interior swing options; Year 1 is redshirt-style development to clean up hand timing, quick-set punch and short-area balance with the team's coaches.
If pass-pro footwork tightens by Year 2, he profiles as a long-term backup at both tackle spots with occasional spot-start upside — the miss looks like a career practice-squad tackle whose length never translates once live NFL speed exposes the segmented mirror.