If Michael Burton is searching for any motivation leading into this week's NFL Draft, the former Rutgers fullback only needs to pick up a copy of Nolan Nawrocki's "NFL Draft 2015 Preview."

Nawrocki, a longtime draft analyst for the now-defunct Pro Football Weekly magazine, produces an annual draft guide that provides in-depth breakdowns of prospects. Nawrocki, who is considered well-connected with NFL talent evaluators, has drawn headlines in the past for scathing scouting reports on quarterbacks Cam Newton and Geno Smith.

Burton, who is projected as a late-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent, received harsh criticism from an anonymous NFL scout in Nawrocki's latest book.

"He looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane," the scout said. "He doesn't have speed and he is not dynamic or explosive. He's your typical Jersey meathead. When I see that meathead Rob Lowe commercial where he is in the tanning bed, that's who he reminds me of. He's a build-up, finesse blocker. That's what he is. He's not knocking the snot out of anyone."

The comments are surprising on multiple levels. For starters, it's unlikely that many linebackers on Rutgers' schedule the past few seasons would describe Burton as a finesse blocker.

The 5-foot-11, 252-pounder paved the way for Rutgers' most productive rushing attack since Ray Rice's final season in 2007. And Burton's blocking ability led NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock to say the fullback is "a thug, and I mean that in a good way," during the Combine.

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The meathead comment is even more puzzling. A walk-on from Long Valley, Burton worked to become a team captain last season as a senior. An academic all-conference selection in each of the last three years, Burton earned a degree in communications last semester.

"If that's a meathead, I hope my son grows up to be a meathead," said his agent Pat Capra. "I think it's insulting, it's lazy and anyone who spends two minutes around Mike knows it's the furthest thing from the truth."

In December, Burton won the Paul Robeson Award, which recognizes the individual whose performance, leadership and dedication on and off the field during his career has had the greatest impact on Rutgers football. Rutgers coach Kyle Flood called Burton "every coach's dream."

"Michael Burton is as valuable a player as we've had in our program since I've been here for what he did for this football team," Flood said at pro day in February. "Not only does he do all the things that people don't really notice or show up in the box score in terms of being a facilitator for other people on the field, he adds so much to the culture of the program and to your locker room."

Burton had a private workout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a visit with the Cleveland Browns and attended local pro days hosted by the Jets and Giants. Capra said he has been informed by multiple teams that Burton is the top fullback on their draft board.

"He's spent his entire life proving people wrong and he's going to prove this guy wrong, too, for the next 10 years," Capra said.

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.