As teams search for elite wide receivers in the NFL Draft, today’s report covers a talent that I’ve been high on since the end of last season, and currently sits as my Wide Receiver 1 on my big board.
Hailing from East St. Louis, Missouri, Luther came highly touted, as he was a 5 star recruit by 247 sports. In his first year, Burden saw action in 13 games, starting 10 of them. He tallied 45 catches, 375 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air, along with 88 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground as well.
He also showcased his playmaker ability recording a punt return for a touchdown, becoming the seventh player in his program’s history to record a rushing, receiving and punt return touchdown in the same season.
His second season solidified him as a premier playmaker, as he hauled in 86 catches for 1,212 yards, and 9 touchdowns, which netted him First-Team All SEC and Second Team All-American honors. His yardage total ranks 3rd in the program’s history for a single season, the catches rank 4th for that same time frame.
He also reached 100 yards receiving in 6 games during his second season, 5 of them coming in back to back games. If you include games where he hit at least 90 yards, that increases his total to 8 of the 13 games he played that season had at least 90 yards receiving.
Burden is an electric talent, and you see his versatility and playmaking ability any time the ball is in his hands. Any offensive coordinator would love to build a game plan around getting Burden touches in a multitude of ways as an elite offensive chess piece.
Player Info
Name: Luther Burden
Jersey: No. 3
Position: Wide Receiver
School: University of Missouri
Class: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 208 lbs.
Luther Burden’s Strengths
Burden is a twitchy athlete, with an amazing first step to instantly get off the line quickly versus opposing defenders. Couple this with his blazing speed (this analyst would estimate 4.4 seconds in the 40 yard dash), and you have a legit threat to get open quickly and be gone once he touches the ball.
He has soft hands, with the ability to grab the ball out of the air with ease, and secure it all the way through any contact he may endure. He also demonstrates elite level flexibility and body control, meaning anywhere the ball is placed, Luther can get to it easily.
He also has flexibility to play on special teams and return kicks and punts and take full advantage of his speed and athleticism, as he’s scored on punt returns multiple times throughout his career.
Luther Burden’s Weaknesses
His route tree could use some refinement at the next level, particularly when it comes to the deeper routes. Luther could be more precise and consistent in the running of these deeper routes down the field.
Luther is slightly undersized (5-11, 208) which could affect his ability to win in press coverage at the next level, particularly versus more physical cornerbacks.
Draft Projection
Luther is an elite talent at wide receiver, as his speed and burst are perfectly coupled with hands that can make every catch, and body control that allows him to get everywhere the ball is thrown. Any offensive coordinator in the NFL would love a chess piece like Luther to take over a game, especially considering he can be deployed out wide, in the backfield, or even on special teams.
He currently sits at WR1 on my big board, and should be taken within the first 10 selections. My favorite landing spots for Luther:
- New Orleans Saints (Regardless of whoever the QB is in New Orleans, you’d love to get an elite talent at wide receiver to pair with Olave, as well as someone who can help your Qb get easy completions. Luther is that talent.)
- Miami Dolphins (Listen, we all talk about the speed in south beach from Waddle and Hill. But could you imagine Luther in that wide receiver room? There wouldn’t be a cornerback room in the NFL that could keep up with all 3. This also provides insurance should Hill start to decline in his older years.)
- Cincinnati Bengals (This fit would be predicated on Tee walking/being tagged and traded. But Luther Burden next to JaMarr Chase? That would be arguably better than what they have currently, which says a lot about Luther Burden, not to mention the backfield screens/swings that could be deployed with his speed.)
Ultimately I fully expect Luther to hear his name called early on draft night, and the team that selects him will have a top tier talent at wide receiver for years to come, not to mention an electric talent in the backfield and on special teams. He is just that good, and teams will be climbing over each other to turn in the card to select him this year.
My comparison for Luther Burden: Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
