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The Los Angeles Rams made a surprise move on Tuesday, November 8 by announcing that former third round selection Terrell Burgess was released.
But now, two days after his departure, the 23-year-old safety once on a four-year, $4,499,405 contract has found a new NFL home back east.
Who Burgess Signed With
Announced on their team website before 3:40 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, November 10, the New York Giants announced that they’re adding the former Rams safety to their practice squad.
This will be the second franchise Burgess will play for in his young NFL career. He ended up suiting up for the Rams in 30 games according to Pro Football Reference — which included three starts.
The past University of Utah star Burgess was originally taken 104th overall by the Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was described as a savvy, high-effort slot cornerback and safety prospect who possessed “great instincts,” plus came with solid man coverage skills by Austin Gayle of the Ringer (formerly of Pro Football Focus) back in April 2020 before the draft:
Burgess then began to win over the “Rams House” with his ability to close on the football and wreck ball carriers — which was before his devastating ACL tear that same rookie season.
In 2021 following his return from the ACL ailment, Burgess went on to play in 141 defensive snaps according to PFR, including 37 plays in the 34-11 romp of the Arizona Cardinals in the wildcard round.
Burgess, however, would be limited to just a combined three starts after his ACL tear including just one for the 2022 season. Nick Scott and Taylor Rapp eventually became the lead safeties for the Rams for the ’22 season. Per Pro Football Focus, Burgess was given 82 total defensive plays for the Rams. His most action came against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5 — which was 55 plays but only 18 in pass coverage during the 22-10 home loss.
Burgess managed to squeeze in 11 tackles with seven solo stops before being waived by the Rams. Following his departure, he posted this on his personal Twitter page:
What Kind of Situation is Burgess Walking Into in New York?
Burgess is hopping on with a team that has become one of the best surprises this season.
The Giants, under first-year head coach Brian Daboll, are currently third in the NFC East standings but share the NFC’s third-best record with the rival Dallas Cowboys.
The move to lure in Burgess, however, points to New York aiming to shore up one area that’s been a weak spot for the team: Run defense. And it also comes in response to a key injury the defense sustained.
The Giants have allowed 1,098 ground-based yards this season — putting them at 23rd overall against the run. Opponents have racked up an average of 5.5 yards per carry facing the G-Men. But on the positive side, the Giants have surrendered just five rushing touchdowns this season, good enough to tie them for the third fewest total in the NFL. Safeties Julian Love and Xavier McKinney are among the three best tacklers on the Giants with 58 and 38 tackles, respectively. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, though, pointed out how Burgess’s addition comes in the wake of McKinney going down with an injury that will sideline him for up to four weeks.
Lastly, Burgess will head to a place that has plenty of past Pac-12 representation. The Giants feature UCLA star Darnay Holmes and USC standout Adoree Jackson in the secondary. Also, 2022 first round selection Kayvon Thibodeaux starred at Oregon.
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