Luther Burden III, 2025 NFL Draft
Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden entered last season viewed as a potential top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, offering a unique skill set that could make him a dangerous offensive weapon in the NFL. With the draft now approaching, it appears Burden won’t be selected as early as hoped.
Burden, standing at 6 feet, was a 247 Sports‘ five-star recruit in 2020 who was rated as the 14th-best player in the country and the second-best receiver in the 2022 recruiting class. After a quiet freshman season with Missouri, he broke out as a star in 2023 to catch the attention of NFL scouts. However, the two-time All-SEC wide receiver had a letdown campaign in 2024 that has raised questions about his draft projection.
Luther Burden III stats 2024 (ESPN): 61 receptions, 676 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns
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Burden was phenomenal the previous year, earning All-SEC honors with Missouri. He hauled in 86 receptions for 1,212 receiving yards with 9 touchdowns, proving to be one of the best offensive weapons in the country. Unfortunately, his production just plummeted in 2024.
ESPN‘s NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller said that while Burden might be a top-10 talent in this year’s class, it’s unlikely his name is called that early. That’s because many around the league expect him to be drafted lower because of “concerns NFL teams have about his statistical drop-off.”
Burden is an exceptional talent, with NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein offering a pro comparison to New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. In addition to the concerns over the statistical dropoff, Burden also had fluctuations in production against top competition. However, some in the NFL chalked this past season up to Burden growing tired of his role in Missouri’s offense.
“I think he got bored with that offense. His playing style is like Jerry Jeudy but with Amon-Ra St. Brown’s hands and toughness.”
Anonymous NFC national scout on Luther Burden III to NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein
Opinions are still split on how early Burden will be selected. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com had Burden 33rd among the top 50 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports ranked Burden 34th on his big board of top prospects.
There is certainly a chance of Burden still being a first-round pick, but the production dip in 2024 and concerns over both his rote-running and his effectiveness downfield – 75 percent of catches came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage – could make him an early Day 2 pick.