The San Francisco 49ers selected Texas-San Antonio offensive lineman Spencer Burford with the 29th pick (No. 134 overall) in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Burford is from San Antonio, TX. He earned a pre-draft grade of 6 from NFL.com, which equates to an "above-average backup," per the site's 8-point grading scale.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6' 4 1/8" and 304-pound Burford had a 40-time of 5.19 seconds, a vertical jump of 27.5 inches, a broad jump of 105 inches, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.73 seconds. His other measurables include an arm length of 34 3/4 inches and hands measuring 9 1/2 inches.
NFL.com projected Burford to be a fourth-round draft pick.
Below is the NFL.com draft profile bio on Burford:
Burford hopes to join his cousins, Sam Hurd and LaAdrian Waddle, in getting an opportunity in the NFL. The four-star recruit from Wagner High School stayed in San Antonio for college, making him the first recruit of that caliber to sign with UTSA. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team accolades by starting 10 games at left guard his true freshman season and was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2019, starting 11 of 12 games played at left guard. C-USA coaches then voted him a second-team selection in 2020, when he started 10 of 11 appearances (two at right tackle, eight at left tackle). Burford was a first-team all-league pick in 2021, starting 12 games (one at right tackle, 11 at left tackle). -- by Chad Reuter
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Burford to Geron Christian, wrote the following within his scouting report:
Long-armed guard/tackle prospect who is fueled by energy and athletic ability. Burford has the foot quickness and agility teams are looking for as a move blocker but his play can be rushed and unfocused, which can turn a win into a loss on any given rep. He needs to add muscle mass and drop the pad level, but has enough bend in his lower half to become a more consistent drive blocker with technique work. He can do a better job of uncorking a stiffer punch into rushers but he gets the most out of his length in pass protection and has the recovery athleticism to make up for missteps. Burford's physical traits and positional flexibility give him a head start in chasing a roster spot.
Measurables
Height: 6' 4 1/8"
Weight: 304 lbs.
Arm length: 34 3/4 inches
Hand length: 9 1/2 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 5.19 seconds
Vertical: 27.5 inches
Broad jump: 105 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.73 seconds
