Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) catches a touchdown pass past Ohio State Buckeyes safety Josh Proctor (41) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Luther Burden III WR Missouri | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Luther Burden III WR Missouri
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/13/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (81%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.1 DOB: 12/12/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 01/13/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (81%*) | |
| Age: 21.1 DOB: 12/12/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 88.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 115.2 | |
| Hands: |
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86% |
| Short Receiving: |
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89% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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89% |
| Deep Threat: |
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95% |
| Blocking: |
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62% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#15
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1686 | ||
ESPN RATING: 92/100
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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| Kadarius Toney - Florida |
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80% |
| Roman Wilson - Michigan |
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79% |
| Jahan Dotson - Penn State |
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78% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A consensus five-star recruit and MaxPreps Player of the Year, Luther Burden III arrived at Missouri as the program's highest-rated receiver prospect ever. Ranked as the #1 receiver nationally by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports, he dominated his senior season at East St. Louis High School with 71 catches for 1,174 yards and 20 touchdowns.His collegiate impact was immediate and sustained through his first two seasons. As a freshman, Burden became the first player nationwide since 2008 to record two receiving TDs, two rushing TDs, and a punt-return TD in the same season. His sophomore campaign marked a major statistical leap - 86 receptions, 1,212 yards (3rd most in Missouri history), and 9 touchdowns while earning First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-America honors. He posted five consecutive 100+ yard games, becoming just the second Tiger to accomplish this feat.
The dramatic drop in production during his junior year (61-676-6) warrants deeper examination. While shoulder and arm injuries combined with an undisclosed illness certainly impacted his availability, the larger factor was Missouri's overall passing game regression. The Tigers' total passing yards fell from 3,671 in 2023 to 2,535 in 2024, with QB Brady Cook's efficiency numbers declining across the board. Film study shows Burden still creating consistent separation despite facing increased defensive attention - suggesting his junior year regression was more situational than skill-based.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Creates instant separation with explosive first step and twitchy change-of-direction ability that leaves defenders grabbing air in space
- Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball away from his frame - finished with stellar 85.9% catch rate despite steady diet of contested targets
- Elite yards-after-catch weapon combining vision, contact balance and lateral agility to turn quick hits into chunk plays
- Deep ball tracking ability jumps off the tape - adjusts to throws seamlessly while maintaining top speed downfield
- Compact, powerful frame at 208 pounds allows him to play bigger than his height and bounce off tackle attempts
- Brings serious juice as a punt returner with natural instincts and acceleration to hit creases before they close
- Shows real dog mentality as a blocker, sustaining blocks and bringing physicality that teammates feed off
- Scheme versatile weapon who can align anywhere - dominated from slot while flashing ability to win outside
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Route tree needs expanded refinement, particularly on timing-based intermediate patterns where his raw athleticism can't mask technical flaws
- Limited exposure to true press coverage could lead to early growing pains against physical NFL corners who get hands on him
- Top-end speed is very good but not truly elite - may struggle to consistently stack corners vertically at next level
- Focus drops pop up on tape, especially when working through traffic over the middle where concentration wavers
- Occasionally rounds off breaks rather than sinking hips and exploding out of cuts with proper technique
Scouting Report: Summary
The NFL projection here is fascinating. Burden brings a skill set reminiscent of rookie-year Kadarius Toney but with much more polish and production. His ability to create with the ball in his hands will have offensive coordinators salivating over the possibilities. Get him touches on screens, jet sweeps, quick game concepts and watch him go to work.While he'll likely begin his career primarily in the slot, don't pigeonhole him there long-term. The natural explosiveness and competitive toughness show up consistently enough to project eventual success outside. Smart offensive minds will move him around, manufacture touches and let his dynamic open-field ability shine. He needs some technical refinement, but the tools are there for a weapon who can stress defenses at all three levels.
Landing spot will be crucial, but Burden has all the traits to become a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside if he lands with a creative play-caller who maximizes his versatility. The combination of instant impact potential and room for growth makes him one of this class's most intriguing offensive prospects. Don't overthink the junior year stats - this is a special talent ready to light up NFL secondaries.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Luther Burden III (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
16.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.