2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Missouri WR Luther Burden III

2025 NFL Draft: Missouri WR Luther Burden III Draft Profile and Scouting Report

Luther Burden III was one of the top players entering the 2024 college football preseason. Burden has tremendous speed with or without the ball in his hands. As one of the most intelligent slot receiver sin college football, it’s easy to see why draft analysts have fallen in love with Burden’s abilities.

Luther Burden III 40 Time

Projected 40 Time: 4.45 seconds

Luther Burden III is a third-year wide receiver for the University of Missouri Tigers. He typically lines up at the slot position for Missouri, but is capable of playing outside, too. He possesses solid height and weight for the wide receiver position, when compared to the NFL average. Our projected 40 time of 4.45 seconds is slightly quicker than the average.

Burden III has tremendous speed that he’s capable of using from snap-to-whistle. He has excellent hands, which allows him to snag balls that are placed away from his body. Further, he displays fantastic intelligence to read the defense and find open field in coverage. With the ball in his hands, Luther Burden III has an amazing second gear to elude defenders and separate upfield.

However, Luther Burden III does need to improve his route running, as several routes in his tree lack consistency. He’ll round off some of his routes, especially if he isn’t the first read. On film, it’s clear when he isn’t the intended target as his effort changes. As a blocker, his effort level is even worse. If he can improve his aggressiveness to attack the defender and establish leverage, it would go a long ways in improving his blocking ability.