Luther Burden 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Luther Burden 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Luther Burden has been on the National stage for a long time, but how good of an actual NFL player will he become? You already know why you’re here so let’s just dive right into this one. Here is your 2025 NFL Draft profile on the Missouri wide receiver!

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Burden, 21, was a five star prospect coming out of high school. He was the number two overall receiver behind Evan Stewart during the 2022 cycle, hailing from the state of Illinois. He spent all three years at Mizzou before declaring for the draft. The Missouri wide out checks in at 6-foot, 206, and is a really explosive player with the ball in his hands.

Is it okay to say I was really underwhelmed at the Combine? Burden ran a more than okay time at 4.41, but the pure route running was just not there. I was incredibly disappointed with that facet of his game. That didn’t quiet any of the actual concerns I have with him.

The strengths and weaknesses are pretty obvious. Very good with the ball in his hands. Just not sure if he’s a real wide receiver. I just don’t know how much in-depth I need to go there. The data backs that up. 75% of his career receptions came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Jet sweeps, screens, kick returns. That’s who he is.

The YAC element is where he thrives. The positive is that he has real strength and has an RB feel when carrying the ball. Good hands though, that shouldn’t be an issue. He forced 50 missed tackles the last two years and sports a career 4.5% drop rate.

Burden produced right away as a freshman posting 45 receptions for 375 yards and six touchdowns. Add in two rushing touchdowns, too. His best season was as a sophomore, reeling in 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. The numbers came down in 2024 but how much of that had to do with Brady Cook producing like crap (something we already went over)? In 2024, Burden notched 61 receptions for 676 yards and six scores. The good news with all of this is Mizzou knew who the go-to guy was. The focus was on Burden getting the ball. Gameplanning targets for Theo Wease was not a priority.

Definitely a slot receiver. Only asked to do a handful of things. Slot fades, crossers, and mostly damage the line of scrimmage. Took zero and I mean zero total outside reps against press coverage. The guy wins with athletic traits, not technique, and I have no idea how that holds up at the next level. Not a blocker either. Motor runs cold if it’s not in his hands. Not a blocker either.

2023 was far more encouraging than 2024, and the responsible thing to do is to probably lean into the talent and have someone smart develop the rest.

Jayden Higgins 2025 NFL Draft Profile

I have a late second round/early third round grade on Luther Burden. I think the fear has to be you’re only getting a gadget guy over a real receiver. Talent is there, but the WTF is he quality is too scary to go any higher.

Comp = Poor Man’s Deebo Samuel with more speed.

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