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: 11/03/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (81%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 12/12/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (81%*) | |
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 12/12/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 88.0 / 100 | |
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| 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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90% |
| Deep Threat: |
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95% |
| Blocking: |
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62% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#20
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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81% |
| Roman Wilson - Michigan |
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79% |
| Jahan Dotson - Penn State |
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79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Luther Burden III, a wide receiver for the Missouri Tigers, entered the collegiate ranks as a highly touted five-star recruit from East St. Louis High School. In his freshman season, Burden saw action in all 13 games, making 10 starts and finishing with 45 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns through the air, along with 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He also returned a punt for a touchdown, becoming just the seventh player in program history to record a rushing TD, receiving TD, and punt return TD in the same season.Burden's sophomore campaign solidified his status as a premier receiver in the SEC. He led the Tigers with 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and 9 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-America honors. His 1,212 receiving yards rank third on Missouri's single-season chart, while his 86 catches sit fourth in program history. Burden reached the 100-yard receiving mark six times during the regular season, including five consecutive 100-yard performances.
In his junior year, Burden's production remained solid but fell short of the explosive growth anticipated for a top-tier receiver prospect. He finished the season with 19 receptions for 257 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 2 carries for 21 yards and a score. While his per-game averages dipped, Burden continued to demonstrate his versatility and playmaking ability when given opportunities
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Twitchy athlete with explosive first step, allowing him to consistently win off the line of scrimmage and create instant separation
- Demonstrates elite body control and flexibility, making him a mismatch in contested catch situations and on back-shoulder throws
- Possesses legit track speed to take the top off defenses, forcing safeties to respect the deep threat on every snap
- Has soft hands- plucking the ball away from his frame and securing it through contact
- YAC monster who combines vision, lateral agility, and contact balance to turn short passes into chunk plays
- Special teams value as dynamic punt returner, scored on returns in both collegiate seasons
- Compact, well-built frame at 208 pounds allows him to play bigger than his listed height
- Tenacious blocker who brings a physical edge to the perimeter run game, sustaining blocks through the whistle
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- May struggle to consistently win against press-man coverage when aligned as an outside receiver, potentially limiting his deployment.
- Top-end speed is good but not elite, which could impact his ability to separate vertically against NFL-caliber defensive backs.
- Route tree could use refinement, particularly in terms of precision and consistency when running deeper patterns.
- Size (5'11", 208 lbs) may pose challenges against larger, more physical cornerbacks in contested situations at the next level.
- Experience as a true outside receiver is limited, which could require an adjustment period in certain NFL offensive schemes.
Scouting Report: Summary
Luther Burden III brings a dynamic skill set to the NFL draft, combining versatility with playmaking ability that could translate immediately to the pro game. His experience operating from multiple alignments and effectiveness with the ball in his hands project him as a potential offensive chess piece at the next level.While Burden's junior year production hasn't so far matched the explosive growth expected, his tape reveals a receiver with the tools to contribute in various facets of an NFL offense. His ability to create after the catch and win in contested situations could make him a valuable asset in a scheme that emphasizes quick passes and manufactured touches.
At the next level, Burden's success will likely hinge on landing with a coordinator who can scheme him into favorable matchups and leverage his versatility. His skills suggest he could excel in a role similar to players like Deebo Samuel or Kadarius Toney, with the potential to impact the game as both a receiver and a rusher. Teams will need to weigh his impressive sophomore tape against his junior year regression when assessing his NFL readiness and long-term potential.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Luther Burden III (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
15.0
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.