• Luther Burden III is probably the most versatile broad receiver within the class: While different receivers could be caught in a selected position in an offense, Burden can line up wherever and preserve productiveness.
• Burden’s inventory is declining: Burden was as soon as thought of a lock for the early-to-middle elements of the primary spherical, however he’s fallen down massive boards and mock drafts. At instances, he’s fallen out of the primary spherical.
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Draft Position Rankings
Player Performance
Burden has spent the final three seasons as certainly one of Missouri‘s high two broad receivers, and the earlier two performed out of the slot. In 2023, he earned the third-highest receiving grade amongst Power-Five receivers, behind Malik Nabers and Malik Washington however forward of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze. This included a top-five yards-per-route run determine, simply forward of Ladd McConkey.
Burden’s 2024 numbers weren’t practically as sturdy. Reasons have ranged from accidents to normal declines within the Missouri offense. The Tigers’ offense was among the many most run-heavy within the SEC, using the second most operating performs within the common season in comparison with a below-average variety of passing performs. That restricted Burden’s routes relative to another receivers. On a per-play foundation, he remained comparatively sturdy. His separation price during the last two years was the most effective among the many high 5 receivers within the class. Our draft information targeted on how well-rounded of a large receiver he was, his functionality to play each place and that his greatest weak spot revolved round his blocking means.
Projected Role
Burden performed primarily within the slot however may play at any receiver spot. Typically, slot receivers will play higher towards zone than man protection, however Burden was among the finest within the FBS towards man protection. His deep and contested goal charges have been additionally greater than different slot receivers.
Burden will doubtless play both within the slot or on the Z receiver spot in three-receiver units, however the massive query is that if he’ll play in two-receiver units. He not often performed in 12 personnel at Missouri, however the Tigers ran 11 or 10 personnel on 83% of snaps final season. Since 12 personnel have been usually a operating scenario, they left their higher run-blockers on the sector.
Some NFL groups put their finest two broad receivers on the sector in two-receiver units. Some groups, just like the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, have slot receivers who solely play with 11 personnel, even when their slot receiver is a greater offensive weapon than the surface receivers. Even if a group views Burden as a Z receiver, just a few groups – just like the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers – have a receiver who usually performed on early downs. Burden’s struggles as a blocker may damage his taking part in time. This would largely damage him in operating conditions, however this might additionally price him some go performs every week, and due to this fact, his fantasy manufacturing would additionally damage.
Most Mocked Teams
Arizona Cardinals
There is not any consensus on the place Burden can be picked, as his draft inventory has declined since mid-January. The Cardinals are one of many earliest potential touchdown spots at decide No. 16. As final season progressed, Arizona began transferring away from its slot receiver, Greg Dortch. Burden may additionally play forward of Michael Wilson in two-receiver units.
Houston Texans
The Texans decide twenty fifth and lack depth at broad receiver after not re-signing Stefon Diggs and dropping Tank Dell for many, if not all, of final season attributable to damage. They traded for Christian Kirk. Burden and Kirk may rotate between the Z and slot receiver spots. The solely concern is that Burden may not earn snaps in two-receiver units with Kirk and Nico Collins on the roster.
Kansas City Chiefs
There is an opportunity that Burden falls to select No. 31 and even later. The Chiefs may very well be set with their high three receivers – Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown – however Burden may give them much more expertise and insurance coverage if one of many receivers misses time. This touchdown spot would make Burden a high-risk, high-reward possibility as a rookie.
Bottom Line
Burden is a comparatively secure rookie receiver with a whole lot of expertise. From a fantasy perspective, there may be some concern about his position, however that’s true for practically each broad receiver on this draft class.
Footnotes
- Statistics in tables and charts have been typically chosen based mostly on their means to foretell future fantasy efficiency on a per-game or per-opportunity foundation or for his or her means to explain the participant relative to others on the identical place.
- “Opportunities” are outlined as passing dropbacks, speeding makes an attempt and receiving routes run.
- Numbers are both by season or based mostly on the previous three years. For rookies, solely faculty numbers are included. Only NFL numbers are included for non-rookies, even when they performed in faculty in the course of the earlier three years.
- Because faculty competitors is less complicated than NFL competitors, most rookies will doubtless see a decline from their historic numbers.
- Only FBS information is taken into account for faculty gamers and comparisons.
- Kneel-downs are faraway from speeding information to supply cleaner quarterback speeding price statistics.
- The colours for all tables on this article vary from blue (good or excessive) to pink (dangerous or low).
- All percentiles or colours evaluate the given participant to different gamers with a excessive pattern of alternatives. Generally, the cut-off is one-third of the attainable alternatives within the pattern. If the participant in query doesn’t have sufficient alternatives, they’re nonetheless in contrast, despite the fact that they might look good or dangerous based mostly on the small pattern measurement, which could not be as predictive.
- Information on utilization classifications and their significance might be discovered right here for operating backs, broad receivers and tight ends.