Things Don’t Add Up With Luther Burden III

Missouri’s “Jack-of-all-trades” wide receiver Luther Burden III is one of the toughest evaluations I’ve ever done. That’s because of his inconsistencies.

2+2 = 5

That’s the math on Burden.

One second he can look the part, and then look mediocre the next.

Burden’s timeline has bothered me from the beginning of my film study. From his decision to go to Missouri instead of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and LSU coming out of high school⎯to his stats “suddenly” shooting through the roof in 2023 when he was moved to slot receiver where he could draw more favorable matchups against less talented college cover corners, none of it sat well with me.

His 2024 game film only created more questions. Burden’s production fell off. He went from 86 receptions in 2023 to 61 this past season. His dip in yardage total was more alarming (1,212 yards to 617). Production regression heading into the draft isn’t promising.

Why did this happen?

Burden was subbing in and out of the lineup on film. Being banged up from time to time was another piece of the puzzle. His quarterback, Brady Cook, missing two games didn’t help. Another ‘tell’ was he didn’t seem to be spending quite as much time lining up in the slot receiver position. He was lined up more out wide.

What did Burden look like on film this season?

He looks sensational at times. That’s the draw. Defenses constantly had to account for him and Missouri did their best to make that challenging by motioning him a lot pre-snap.

The Tigers loved moving him around. He lined up in the backfield, out wide, and where he was most at home ⎯in the slot. Burden demonstrated good quickness and speed and no question he was a threat at every route level ⎯and wow was he clutch. He made several big-time game situation “had to have it,” grabs. Missouri also made a regular habit of handing the ball off to him. This is likely why he draws so many loose Deebo Samuel (49ers) comps. Burden took those handoffs and sometimes turned it upfield to gain yardage and sometimes he was cut off at the edge ⎯either way he charged into the jaws of defenses like he was shot out of a cannon. Burden is also top-notch when it comes to “YAC” (yardage after the catch). This is the best part of his game.

Then there’s the flip side.

• Routes he didn’t run as hard
• Times he couldn’t get open
• Deep passes he chose not to lay out for
• Contested passes he couldn’t catch

What’s the takeaway?

All things considered, I think Burden picked Missouri because it was an easier road and he was most productive out of the slot because that position offered easier matchups and more space to exploit.

It felt like Burden was more removed from the team this season and when he was in the game it felt like he was making a special guest appearance. It felt like he was solely there to attempt to boast his draft stock.

Just the opposite happened on my board.

#3 Luther Burden III 5-foot-11, 208 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Final NFL Draft Grade: Third-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 92.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 25, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Luther Burden III Runs Route of Least Resistance (2023: 11 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: Murray State, Buffalo, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, UMASS, Auburn, Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Arkansas (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A compact athletic muscular prospect who doesn’t have a natural position. Best in the slot. Good energy. Tough. Demonstrative. Different player with the ball in his hand versus times he doesn’t. Runs good routes. Can cut hard at breakpoints. Capable of driving hard into routes. Shies away from coverage contact, which is an issue on contested catches. Struggles vs. man coverage. Best in zone. Confident strong hands. Capable of being quick and elusive. Showed a stiff arm. Good ball tracking. Nice adjustments back to the ball if he has space. Good decoy. Willing blocker.

Final words

I’m not seeing it with Burden.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.