With NFL free agency well underway and Cleveland Browns fans waiting for quarterback news, the wide receiver room needs to be improved regardless of who the quarterback ends up being. The Browns may make a trade or bring back Elijah Moore to help improve the group. Every draft since Andrew Berry has been the general manager, he has selected at least one wide receiver.
Though this year's group isn't as deep as last year's, there are plenty of talented prospects for the Browns to consider in next month's draft. Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III had an interesting year and seems to be falling down draft boards despite being one of my favorite players in this class.
When you compare his stats this year to 2023, you see a drop-off, but when you watch the tape, you see it isn't Burden's fault. He was still getting open and creating after the catch, but the Missouri offense wasn't good. Quarterback Brady Cook had a bad year and was dealing with injuries, which limited Burden's statistical output.
Burden attended East Saint Louis High School in Illinois and was a five-star recruit. He received offers from places like Alabama but ultimately chose Missouri. He was the MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2022 and the number-one wide receiver recruit in the nation.
Measurements and Testing:
6'0", 206 lbs, 8-½" Hands, 31-¼" Arms. 40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds with 1.54 second 10-yard split. At the time of writing this article, he hasn't done any other athletic testing.
Luther Burden III By the Numbers:
2022: 45 receptions for 375 yards, 8.3 YPR, and six receiving touchdowns. He added 88 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Burden also returned a punt for a touchdown as a freshman in 2022.
2023: 86 receptions for 1,212 yards, 14.1 YPR, and nine receiving touchdowns. He also had 31 yards rushing.
2024: 61 receptions for 676 yards, 11.1 YPR, and six receiving touchdowns. He added 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Strengths:
Dynamic with the ball in his hands after the catch
Elite body control
Explosive and smooth accelerator
When Luther Burden III gets the ball in his hands in the open field, he can create an explosive play every single time. Missouri made it a point to make sure they manufactured touches in different ways to get him into space. He's so creative in the ways he can make you miss, and his top speed helps him run away from defenders.
Burden isn't just fast; he understands how to use that speed to attack every level of a defense. He can stop on a dime, change direction, and accelerate effortlessly, leaving defenders grasping at air and creating separation. He's very shifty and slippery when you are alone in the open field with him as a defender; it doesn't end well for you often.
Burden's body control is on display with his start-stop ability, but it also shines when the ball is in the air. He can adjust to the pass and come down with the ball if it is underthrown or off-target. Burden can make the tough sideline catches and keep himself from going out of bounds. He is a playmaker and a difference-maker for an offense on day one because of the yardage he can create after the catch.
Weaknesses:
Mostly played in the slot in college
Concerns against press-man coverage
Needs to clean up intermediate routes
As impactful and talented of a player as Burden has been, he isn't a perfect prospect. Many NFL scouts and draft analysts, including me, think that he will be a slot-only guy at the next level, so some teams won't be interested. But in today's NFL, you are playing with three wide receivers on the field often, so I don't think the "slot only" label is this completely terrible thing, especially when they can impact the game the way Burden does.
Burden is a bit of a smaller wide receiver, and there are concerns with him dealing with press-man coverage in the NFL. He didn't get exposed to it that much in college, which is part of the reason for concern. We haven't seen him succeed against it to know he can. He has a good contact balance and fights through contact, so it might not end up being an issue.
Burden is a good route runner, but sometimes, he can get a bit sloppy rounding off routes, which can telegraph where he is going. He has the body control to be a great route runner, but it will need to be cleaned up at the next level.