Burnett Burning Up

While the starting receivers are pretty much set in stone, wideouts Deontay Burnett and Tim White have stepped up lately as they, along with a handful of others, are fighting for a roster spot.

Burnett, who played with quarterback Sam Darnold at USC, flashed at times in 2018 and finished the year with a five-catch, 73-yard performance against the Patriots in Week 17. The 21-year-old focused on his speed and route discipline in the offseason and often worked out with Darnold.

Burnett made a beautiful TD grab Thursday in a 1-on-1 red-zone period over CB Arthur Maulet in the back corner of the end zone. On his next rep, Burnett ran a slant-and-go to create separation from CB Parry Nickerson.

"For me, I just like to make a play on the ball. Any ball thrown my way is a good ball. It's not really what I like, it's more that it's an opportunity for me to make a play," said Burnett. "I just to be reliable, be coachable and be available for the team in any way shape or form that I can help this team, that's pretty much what I'm here to do."

White was equally impressive Thursday as he reeled in a pair of deep passes down the sideline from Luke Falk in a late-game situation. Even though both Burnett and White have both found a groove, preseason will be the real litmus test.

"When you start doing this in training camp, you kind of get used to the guys and how a DB is going to handle you, how he's going to pressure you," Gase said. "When you get into a real game, you have to study that on film and then apply it on a Sunday whether it be preseason or regular season. That's the challenge. That's the hardest part. The good ones, they figure it out.