Name: Luther Burden III
Position: Wide receiver
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 206
40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds
Bench: Did not bench
Vertical: Did not jump
Broad: Did not jump
3-cone: Did not run
20-yard shuttle: Did not run
View photos of 2025 NFL Draft wide receiver prospect Luther Burden III.
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) pulls down a pass in front of Boston College defensive back Khari Johnson, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 27-21. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) lines up for a play against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) catches a touchdown pass over Vanderbilt cornerback Tyson Russell (8) during overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) is defended by Massachusetts linebacker Macklin Ayers (25) during the first half of an NCAA football game against Massachusetts on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Amherst, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) lines up for a play against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) sprints past a Mississippi State defender with a first down pass reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) scores a touchdown past Vanderbilt safety Marlen Sewell, right, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, right, tries to run past Buffalo cornerback Eddie Pleasant III, left during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Buffalo Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, left, dances into the end zone past Murray State linebacker James Camden during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
How he fits: There have been a few mock drafts that link Burden to the Lions at the end of the first round.
While wide receiver doesn't stand out as a huge need for the Lions heading into the NFL Draft, we know that doesn't matter much to Lions general manager Brad Holmes. He's going to select the best player at that spot he picks and Burden is considered one of the top receivers in the class.
His numbers dipped a little bit in 2024, but inconsistent quarterback play affected that too. In 2023, Burden caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns with 1,313 all-purpose yards. He had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns this past season.
Detroit has a solid three at receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick with Kalif Raymond as a solid contributor as well. Patrick is only on a one-year deal and Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the team having to decide on the fifth-year option by May 1.
There could be a long-term need there, and Burden fits the Lions from a speed, athleticism and playmaking standpoint. He's really good after the catch and that would fit in perfectly with the Lions' offense. He's got terrific hands and toughness, and though he played mostly in the slot the last two years at Missouri, his skillset, ball tracking and toughness could translate outside as well.
Burden also knows Williams well, playing in the same youth organization in St. Louis and at the same high school as the Lions' speedster.
Key observations: Burden had a contested catch percentage above 50 two years in a row, per Pro Football Focus statistics.
What they had to say about him: "Burden's physical traits are undeniable, as the powerful and explosive wideout was one of the best players in college football in 2023 and especially thrived as a run-after-catch threat. Over three seasons, Burden averaged 7.0 yards after catch per reception and forced 72 missed tackles.
"He ran an impressive 4.41-second 40 at the combine, too. But scouts have spent the past few months digging into his pedestrian 2024 season — 676 yards compared to 1,212 in 2023 — which could impact his stock." – Field Yates, ESPN
View photos of players and coaches from the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers supporting each other over the past year in celebration of the Tigers' season opener on March 27, 2025.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty in a game against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on May 11, 2024. (Allison Farrand/Ilitch Sports)
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (Stephanie VanWagoner/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Penei Sewell before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on April 5, 2024. (Allison Farrand / Ilitch Sports)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) travels to Arizona on Sept. 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 27, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 17, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 14, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jack Flaherty in a game against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on May 11, 2024. (Allison Farrand / Ilitch Sports)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI on June 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53), Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI on June 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) travels to East Rutherford, New Jersey on Aug. 4, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell arrives before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Amon-Ra St. Brown in a game against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on May 11, 2024. (Allison Farrand / Ilitch Sports)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) travels to Arizona on Sept. 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Penei Sewell before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on April 5, 2024. (Allison Farrand / Ilitch Sports)
Penei Sewell at a game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on April 5, 2024. (Stephanie VanWagoner / Ilitch Sports)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI on June 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) arrives to an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions assistant tight ends coach Seth Ryan during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend arriving to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) arriving to an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) travels to Indianapolis on Nov. 23, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) arrives to the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) arriving to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 17, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) travels to Houston on Nov. 9, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
How he stacks up: Yates lists Burden as No. 28 on his Big Board of the Top 32 prospects in the class. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah lists Burden as No. 31 on his most recent version of his Top 50 players.
Burden comes in at No. 20 in Dan Brugler of The Athletic's list of the Top 100 players in the draft.
"With just one 100-yard receiving performance in 2024, Burden wasn't able to build on his All-America sophomore season as the entire Missouri offense struggled — but there were enough flashes to tease his high-level talent," Brugler wrote. "Because of his run-after-catch skills, Burden saw a high-volume of quick hitters and crossers, which showcased his any-direction burst and physicality to give defenders the shake."
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks released his list of the Top 5 players at every position in the class and Burden comes in at No. 2 among the group of receivers behind only Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan. No. 3 is Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), No. 4 Tre Harris (Mississippi) and No. 5 Isaiah Bond (Texas).
NFL.com lead writer Eric Edholm puts Burden at No. 26 and the fourth best receiver in the class on his list of the 100 Top Players.
ESPN's Matt Miller updated his Top 50 prospects this week and Burden comes in at No. 13. Jordan Reid has Burden at No. 30 in his Top 50 prospects.
What he had to say: "I got a mentality (of) as soon as I get the ball, trying to score, trying to put my team in the best position to be successful," Burden said at the Combine. "I feel like I'm different in every aspect, so I mean, my skillset is good for me, and I can't wait to show it."
