All for Tennessee
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Top 10 NFL careers of Tennessee football LBs

By Caleb Calhoun

31 Oct 1999: Al Wilson #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates on the field during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Vikings defeated the Broncos 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
31 Oct 1999: Al Wilson #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates on the field during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Vikings defeated the Broncos 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images /

Pick Analysis. Years in NFL: 9. 7. player. 839. Scouting Report. 2000-2004. Kevin Burnett

Teams played for:

  • Dallas Cowboys; 2005-2008
  • San Diego Chargers; 2009-2010
  • Miami Dolphins; 2011-2012
  • Oakland Raiders; 2013

After riding the bench in 2000 and 2001 before suffering a season-ending injury in 2002, Kevin Burnett turned into a star for Tennessee football in 2003. Coming from California, Burnett had 210 total tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles and 16.5 tackles for a loss during those two seasons, earning All-American honors in 2004 as he helped the Vols win the SEC East as a senior.

His elite play led to the Dallas Cowboys taking him in the second round of the NFL Draft. At 6’3″ 230 pounds, he spent four years as a reserve there. While contributing significantly and helping the franchise make two playoff appearances, it was a waste of real talent, which the Inglewood, Calif. native would prove at his next stop.

Burnett joined the San Diego Chargers in 2009 and immediately became a starter, helping them to a 13-3 record. After starting for two years there, he then joined the Miami Dolphins and became a two-year starter there before closing things out with the Oakland Raiders in 2013, where he again started every game. An ankle injury cut short Burnett’s career after that.

In nine years and136 game appearances, Burnett had 75 starts. He registered 20 sacks, another 51 tackles for a loss, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 632 total tackles, 495 of which were solo. Burnett stood out more in coverage with five interceptions, 25 pass deflections and three pick-sixes. Simply put, he could do it all and proved it once he got the shot.

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