Luther Burden III: 2025 Player Profile

Mike Christy - Arizona Athletics

Luther Burden III

Age: 21

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 206

Career Stats: 38 G/ 192 Rec/ 2,497 Yds/ 25 TD

24' Stats: 12 G / 61 Rec / 676 yds / 8 TD

College YPR: 11.8 YPR

Target Share: 26.9%

Catch Rate: 70.3%

College Dominator Score: 36.5%

Athleticism Score: N/A (-)

All Time Athleticism Rank (N/A)

Combine Scores:

40 (4.41) Cone (N/A) Vert (N/A)

NFL Next Gen Grade: 85 (Good)

FITTING THE NFL MOLD

Ideally, a WRs height will be between 6'1" and 6'3" and he will weigh somewhere between 205 and 215 lbs. Burden is a little short for the position but is still 6 foot and he has a lean frame to balance him out. The three greatest predictors of NFL success for WRs in the combine are the 40 Yard Dash, the 3-Cone Drill, and the Vertical Jump. These test a players speed as well as their ability to high point a ball. Burden tested in the 40-yard dash to show off his speed but skipped a variety of other events. He has an 88th percentile Speed Score and there are concerns about his catch radius as he has shorter arms listed at 31".

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Two factors that scouts will raise red flags on are if a receiver has multiple 100+ reception seasons along with injuries and if they play in air-raid or spread heavy systems. LB3 never had a huge workload and was very durable in his college career. There are some concerns from scouts that Mizzou coddled the star receiver and never pushed him to make sure the star stayed with the team. Scouts feel he may be a diva and possible headache for their teams. LB3 had an incredible 76.3% catch rate in his final season in Missouri showing he has the hands to be successful.

WATCHING THE TAPE

   Burden is great about looking the ball into his hands as he is able to adjust to catch tipped balls and this also greatly contributes to his high catch rate. Burden isn't afraid of contact and will meet defenders at the line or cut up the field into danger to try to put on a move. He plays tough and runs through arm tackles. He has smooth routes and uses it to beat defenders in press coverage. He is able to adjust to track the balls trajectory and make acrobatic catches. He is incredibly shifty as he had 65 broken tackles over 3 years at Mizzou. While his hands and route running are undeniable, you notice he is limited by his frame. He is not the type of WR that is going to dominantly win the 50/50 battle at the next level making him more of a WR 2.

THE LANDING SPOT

   Burden fell to the second round allowing the Bears to select another weapon for their young QB. He should instantly start in 3 WR sets but will likely be firmly behind both Moore and Odunze to start the season. With all the options at the Bears disposal, he'll have to fight for targets just like everyone else. He'll be tied to a promising young QB making this a decent landing spot for him.

WHERE TO DRAFT HIM

   In Redraft leagues, Burden should be a late round pick at best as he'll struggle to consistently see enough work to be fantasy relevant. In Dynasty rookie drafts, he has the talent to be a mid to late 1st round pick.

Player Comp

Deebo Samuel