The New Orleans Saints boast an explosive duo of game-breaking wide receivers in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Each have the speed and underrated route skills to give defensive coordinators nightmares.
Olave and Shaheed started the 2024-25 NFL season on fire, as did the entire New Orleans offense. However, the Saints lack of depth at the position over the last few years was exposed again when both Olave and Shaheed were lost with season-ending injuries before the midway point of the year.
Factor in the loss of promising rookie fifth-round pick Bub Means, also sidelined at midseason, and the Saints had few reliable weapons at the position. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the unit's only bright spot down the stretch after being picked up on waivers. However, Valdes-Scantling was lost in free agency this offseason to the Seattle Seahawks.
With a new head coach in Kellen Moore and an almost entirely new coaching staff, it's doubtful that New Orleans enters this season with another thin receiving corps. It's possible that the Saints bring in a veteran free agent starter. Tyler Boyd, Tyler Lockett, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, and Robert Woods were all still available at the time of this article.
Even with several other needs throughout the roster, New Orleans could also address this position through the draft. Several draft analysts predict the Saints will select Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan at number nine overall in the first round.
McMillan is precisely the kind of big-bodied playmaker this offense lacks. It's also a thin draft class at wideout, which will perhaps tempt the Saints to target one early. Another potential early round target has a familiar tie with the newly-hired Saints head coach.
Luther Burden III, WR (Missouri)
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) reaches for a reception against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
One of the nation's top recruits and a five-star prospect at East St. Louis Senior High School, Burden stayed close to home when committing to Missouri. As a freshman in 2022, he led the Tigers with six touchdown catches and had 375 receiving yards while finishing second on the team with 45 receptions.
In 2023, Burden led Missouri in all three receiving categories with 86 catches for 1,212 yards and 9 scores. He was second in the SEC in receptions and was third in both yardage and scores, leading to 1st Team All-SEC recognition.
Burden was held in check a bit in 2024. His production dipped to 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. He'd still lead the Tigers in catches, finishing second in touchdowns and yards on his way to consecutive All-SEC honors.
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) catches a touchdown pass against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Burden finished his three-year Missouri career with 192 receptions, 2,263 yards, and 26 total touchdowns. During his last two years with the Tigers, Burden's offensive coordinator was Kirby Moore, younger brother of New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore.
The production drop may cause some questions. However, Burden has athleticism off the charts along with enough size and proven productivity at a high level.
Burden's route precision must improve at the next level, especially with an expanded route tree he didn't have at Missouri. Even against SEC competition, he sometimes struggled against press coverage or rounded off his breaks.
Doing either against NFL defenses will result in a lack of consistent separation. This presents problems not only because it nullifies Burden's open field skills, but he's also had problems with working through traffic and on contested throws.
Burden may have the best deep ball tracking skills of anyone in his draft class. He shows an extra gear once the ball is in the air and adjusts expertly to off-target throws for highlight-reel catches.
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs after a catch against the Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
At 6-feet and 208-Lbs., Burden has the compact and muscular build to be a viable weapon on short and intermediate routes. He secures the catch quickly with reliable hands and converts instantly to a runner, making him dangerous on short throws and jet sweeps.
After the catch, Burden has elite elusiveness and acceleration as an open field runner. He was dangerous on punt returns at Missouri and may be used in that role for his NFL team.
Luther Burden III has the explosive talents of a certain first-round selection. He has the skills to excel as either an outside or slot receiver. He'll add an explosive element to any offense with the upside of a featured receiver.
Burden isn't necessarily the big-bodied physical specimen that the New Orleans Saints are missing. His best attributes are actually very similar to Olave and Shaheed, which therefore makes him a stretch for the Saints in the first round. Still, Burden would undoubtedly improve the New Orleans attack and give them another dangerous and versatile weapon.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM.