- Jaylin Noel | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Tez Johnson | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Matthew Golden | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Elic Ayomanor | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Luther Burden III | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
Welcome to the Dynasty Nerds 2025 Rookie Profile series! We’re pleased to bring you the Luther Burden III rookie profile from our NFL prospects writing staff. Below you will find the intro, overview, and independent breakdowns by 4 of our top analysts. While there will be a lot of similarities, there will be some differences.
Each writer does their own film study using our Nerds All-22 Film Room, and creates a Top 50 Rookie Prospects Big Board. We’re also pleased to feature the Positional Rankings of our Director of College Content, Tristan Cook. Tristan also provided Luther Burden’s introduction and conclusion. We hope this Rookie Profile will aid you in your quest for dynasty glory this season.
Luther Burden III | WR | HT 6000 | WT 206 | HAND 848 | ARM 3128
Luther Burden III | Player Introduction
Not only was Luther Burden III a 5-star recruit, he was also the No. 3 overall recruit in his class and the 2nd-highest ranked recruit to ever commit to the University of Missouri (Dorial Green-Beckham). With all of the hype came lofty expectations, which Burden welcomed. He showed promise during his freshman season, becoming the first ever freshman to record at least 2 receiving TDs, 2 rushing TDs, and 1 punt return TD in the same season.
During his 2023 season, Luther Burden flourished, recording 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and 9 TDs. He was named as a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and received second team All-American and first team All-SEC honors. His stats dipped in 2024, but Burden was still named as a first team All-SEC player.
Mike Johrendt’s Top 50 Rookie Big Board
No. 6 Overall Prospect | Ranked as WR2
Even though Luther Burden III’s spot in my 2025 Rookie Big Board dropped, it speaks more to the depth of the RB class than any reflection on Burden. His game film speaks volumes about his potential impact in the NFL, specifically how he can separate from defenders. While not the fastest or flashiest prospect, Burden is a dynamic receiver that has experience in the slot, out wide, and out of the backfield. His speed is my biggest concern, as he needs to run faster at the NFL Combine than the tape shows.
Doc Matthew Mitchell’s Top 50 Rookie Big Board
No. 11 Overall Prospect | Ranked as WR3
Luther Burden III is a player that has fallen down my rankings. The Missouri Tigers slot WR backed up his impressive 2023 campaign by laying an absolute dud in 2024. I’m not sure if he checked out ahead of his eventual entry into the NFL Draft or what happened. Perhaps teams did a better job of scheming him out of the offensive game plan. Whatever the reason, his drop from 1,212 yards and 9 TDs to a meager 676 yards and 6 scores certainly catches your eye.
Despite his down 2024 season, it is hard to keep Burden out of my 1st round rankings. You just need to look at his 2023 numbers and film to see a player that is tailor-made to be a zone beater in the NFL. He will be a natural slot fit for a team. Many scouts still have him as a 1st Round NFL prospect despite his struggles this past year. In a class thin on high-end WR talent, I still have this dynamic playmaker at the back of my 1st round.
Keith Ensminger’s Top 50 Rookie Big Board
No. 12 Overall Prospect | Ranked as WR3
I am certain that Luther Burden will be much higher on other analysts’ rankings than I have him here. Burden’s ranking here does not mean I dislike him or think he is a bad player. In SuperFlex formats, I would much rather draft any quarterback drafted in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft or one of the other players listed above because the NFL is in desperate need of running back talent and difference makers at TE. Compared to other skill groups, the NFL is full of good and even great wide receivers, and I wonder where Luther Burden fits in that larger pool.
Burden is a fine receiver, but I don’t think he will be a consistently big difference-maker in the NFL. He has not been consistent in college, and too many of his touches must be manufactured in the SEC for my liking. Too much of what I have seen from his production seems to be plays designed for him to “out-athlete” the competition, and in my experience, that does not translate well to success in the NFL. I simply do not see a path to Burden ever being an NFL team’s number one receiver as many are predicting. I think he is closer to being a Day 2 selection than an early 1st round pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Tristan Cook’s Pre-NFL Combine WR Rankings
No. 3 Overall Wide Receiver
I struggle a bit with evaluating Luther Burden III. Not in where to put him in my WR Rankings, but rather which tier is right for him. If you asked me heading into this season, Burden was a lock to be a Tier 1 WR. However, he struggled this year compared to his 2023 campaign. When healthy, Burden is one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the 2025 class. He lines up all over the field for Missouri, and despite defenses knowing he is going to be a focal point of the offense, he still performs.
The biggest concerns I have with Burden are high-end speed and if he’ll get back to his 2023 form. We know he has the talent to be a top-tier receiver, but we only saw it in glimpses this season. Burden is so dynamic after the catch that all he needs is the ball in his hands to be a threat to score. He profiles as a player that will likely start in the slot and in a manufactured-touch role. If he finds a team that wants to utilize Burden similarly to how the San Francisco 49ers used Deebo Samuel in the past, he could excel.
Luther Burden III | Draft Outlook
Luther Burden III has fallen off from being a top-tier wide receiver in this class. However, he still has a very strong chance of being drafted in the 1st Round of April’s NFL Draft. It will likely be in the 16-32 range, but it’s hard to see him falling out of the 1st Round. If that does happen, it’s almost a guarantee that he will be off the board before the first 50 picks are in. In fantasy, Burden projects as a player that will be drafted late in the 1st round of rookie drafts. It’s hard to see him falling outside of the top 12 picks, but it’s also unlikely that he’ll crack the top half of round 1.
We Are Releasing a Rookie Draft App!
On top of all the rookie player profiles on our website, we are releasing the first Rookie Draft App dedicated solely to rookie content, featuring mock drafts, a rookie pick trade calculator, analysis by Garret Price and Jared Wackerly, plus video footage from your favorite podcast. This is a ground-breaking endeavor that we’re very excited to bring to all of you. Stay tuned to the podcast show and our web articles for more info!
