Luther Burden III – Receiver – 21 years old – Missouri – Junior
Size: 1m83
Weight: 93 kilograms
Stats: 61 receptions, 676 yards, 6 touchdowns and 9 races, 115 yards, 2 touchdowns
Estimated position at the draft: end of the first round – start of the second round
NFL comparison: Deebo Samuel
The Draft 2025 provides us with several talented recipients this year and all have quite different profiles. Behind the duo Travis Hunter-Tetairoa McMillan, can Luther Burden III be the third man in the class of recipients?
The strengths of Luther Burden III
- First step
- Separation
- Yards after reception
The Missouri player is full of talent and many teams are looking for recipients of his profile.
Burden III is a complete athlete and has a destructive first step which allows him to free himself from many defenders. Coupled with its agility and explosive, it is a threat from the first yards for any cornerback being fooled by its acceleration.
The athletic qualities of the old Tiger also allow him to be a devastating danger after reception for any defense. Very good route of tracks, he has a very good Qi Football to find the spaces to transform the slightest reception into a very big gain. This asset is also appreciable on the kicks' return phases where it can be very effective.
Luther Burden's weaknesses
- Slot Exclusive in NCAA
- Concentration
- Any blocker
Like Justin Jefferson in university, Luther Burden III has almost known that the post of slot recipient. 75% of its NCAA receptions were made while it was in the first 10 yards limiting it to very few types of routes. Its trait of tracks must be expanded. In 2024 he, for example, ran only one layout post all season. He was therefore very little confronted with defenses in press.
The Tiger has very good hands, but unfortunately he has some concerns at the reception. As soon as there are people around him, his percentage of passes received decreases while it is a regular in the position of close receiver … His concentration swings to catch the ball in the middle of the field can be very unfortunate in NFL.
The native of Saint Louis is a good runner of traces. However, some of its routes could be sharper.
Finally, even if he is voluntary to block for his running back, he is far from being a good blocker.
Possible destinations
Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans
Luther Burden III is a recipient who can meet needs in many franchises. He is a gadget player at the Deebo Samuel or the Curtis Samuel. Costaud, fast, intelligent, he has everything for him at the physical level.
He will have to prove that he is more than a receiver in the slot If he wants to become more than a number three receiver. His lack of attention on the disputed passes can be a brake for several franchises as well as his last NCAA season down.
