Luther Burden III NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report For Missouri WR

One of the most electrifying players in college football this last year was Luther Burden III out of Missouri. Today, we’ll be breaking down his 2025 NFL Draft outlook in this scouting report. More importantly, we’ll be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and potential NFL Draft round grade. Continue reading to learn more about this talented WR prospect.

Luther Burden III NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report

Missouri’s Luther Burden III is an explosive playmaker with elite quickness, physicality, and versatility. Dangerous after the catch, he turns routine plays into big gains. With natural hands and deep-ball tracking, he’s a dynamic weapon poised for an immediate NFL impact.

Burden is one of the most electric playmakers in college football, showcasing a rare blend of explosiveness, physicality, and versatility. A dynamic weapon in the Missouri offense, Burden thrives with the ball in his hands, turning routine plays into big gains with his elite short-area quickness and contact balance. His ability to generate yards after the catch, combined with natural hands and deep-ball tracking skills, makes him a nightmare for defenders. As he transitions to the next level, his skill set presents an intriguing combination of instant impact and long-term upside.

HT: 6000
WT: 206
HAND: 848
ARM: 3128
40: 4.41

Strengths

• Elite After-the-Catch Ability: Burden’s ability to turn short passes into chunk plays is his calling card. His 6.1 yards after catch per reception in 2024 ranked among the best in his draft class, and he forced a nation-leading 30 missed tackles as a junior. With a combination of quick-twitch agility, lateral burst, and surprising contact balance, he’s a nightmare for defenders in open space.
• Explosive Athleticism: Burden’s acceleration off the line and top-end speed (evidenced by his 4.41 40-yard dash) make him a vertical threat, particularly from the slot. He can flip the field on deep routes and jet sweeps, showcasing his ability to stretch defenses at all levels.
• Versatility: Missouri deployed Burden everywhere—slot (over 80% of snaps in 2023-24), outside, backfield, and even as a punt returner. His adaptability allows creative offensive minds to manufacture touches via screens, reverses, or motion plays. He’s a willing runner, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry on 34 collegiate rushing attempts.
• Competitive Toughness: Despite his smaller stature, Burden thrives in contested catch situations, using his strong hands and physicality to win 50-50 balls. His drop rate improved significantly over his career, dipping below 5% in his final two seasons, a testament to his focus and reliability.
• Vision and Instincts: Burden’s background as a return specialist shines through with the ball in his hands. He reads blocks well, anticipates pursuit angles, and maximizes yardage with subtle cuts and bursts, making him a natural playmaker.

Areas for Improvement

• Limited Route Tree: Missouri’s offense leaned heavily on designed touches—screens, slants, and short crossers—leaving Burden’s route-running development incomplete. He’s fluid and quick in his breaks but lacks polish on intermediate and double-move routes, which could limit him early in the NFL against savvy corners.
• Size Constraints: At 6’0” with average arm length, Burden doesn’t have the catch radius of bigger receivers like Tetairoa McMillan. He can struggle against longer, more physical press corners who disrupt his release, an area he rarely faced in Missouri’s slot-heavy scheme.
• Inconsistent Outside Production: While Burden played outside as a freshman (479 of 631 snaps in 2022), his best work came from the slot in 2023 and 2024. Transitioning to a boundary role in the NFL may require an adjustment period, especially against man coverage.
• Blocking Effort: Burden’s run-blocking is underwhelming for his size and strength. He often lacks aggression at the point of attack and doesn’t sustain blocks, which could be a knock in schemes that demand receiver blocking (e.g., Green Bay’s run-heavy system).
• Quarterback Play Impact: His production dipped in 2024 (61 catches, 676 yards) due to inconsistent quarterback play and a shift to a more run-oriented offense. While not entirely his fault, it raises questions about how he’ll fare without a scheme tailored to his strengths.

Conclusion

Burden’s tape screams playmaker, with the athleticism and instincts to thrive in today’s NFL. His slot-heavy usage and developmental needs temper expectations slightly, but he’s a safe bet to produce early as a yards-after-catch specialist with room to grow into a complete receiver. If he refines his craft, he’s a mid-to-late first-rounder with star potential.

Burden projects as a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in the right system. Offenses that prioritize motion, pre-snap movement, and quick-game concepts (e.g., Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs) would unlock his potential early. Teams needing a traditional X receiver might hesitate due to his size and unpolished route tree, but his dynamic traits make him a first-round talent. A creative coordinator like Mike McDaniel or Andy Reid could turn him into a matchup nightmare.

Like Deebo Samuel, Burden thrives as a hybrid weapon—part receiver, part runner—with elite RAC skills and a knack for turning small opportunities into big plays. While not as refined a route runner as Samuel became in the NFL, Burden’s physicality and versatility draw a strong parallel. His ceiling depends on landing with a play-caller who maximizes his gadget potential.

Round Grade: 2nd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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