Who Should I Start? Demarcus Robinson or Jermaine Burton

Friday, June 13, 12:08 PM

It sounds like San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson took advantage of Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) sitting out of offseason workouts this spring. The 30-year-old filled in nicely as the reliable veteran, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Robinson isn't flashy but is well-versed in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense after spending the last two years with the Los Angeles Rams, which made him a frequent and trusted target for quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The former fourth-rounder (126th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 out of Florida is basically an insurance policy for Aiyuk this year. While he's getting extra reps now with three starting wideouts sidelined, Robinson isn't likely to see the field enough during the regular season as long as Jennings and Pearsall are ready for Week 1.

Thursday, May 22, 1:47 PM

Cincinnati Bengals second-year wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who is coming off a tumultuous rookie campaign that saw him suspended, evicted and left behind on a road trip, has slowly made an impression on quarterback Joe Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor, according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. Burrow has pointed out Burton's growth in "maturity" as he handles his business this spring. "All he can handle is the present at this point," Taylor said. "I think he's done a good job of that this offseason. He's been in the building. He's in the building outside of work hours, doing his own thing, prehabbing to get his body right. He has attacked practice the right way, and that is what you can control right now, so I appreciate that much." It's a step in the right direction for the 23-year-old former third-rounder, but Burton has a ways to go to get back in the team's good graces.