Luther Burden III is a potential first-round wide receiver pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The Detroit Lions already have two 1,000-yard wide receivers in Jameson Williams and All-Pro Amon-Ra St.

Brown, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they aimed to add more depth and youth to their explosive passing attack. Burden, the standout wide receiver from Missouri, has expressed his admiration for St. Brown and Williams.

Burden shared how he and Williams grew up together in St. Louis, playing in the same Little League organization and briefly attending the same high school. “I think he’s (Burden III) going to be a top-5 pick. He’s one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever seen,” Williams said about Burden last June.

“Basketball, football, he’s doing it. I watched every single Mizzou game last year. I never watched a Mizzou game. I ain’t gonna lie. But Mookie (Cooper) and Luther, that’s the only two people I’m watching. Those are my guys.” Williams has never hesitated to cheer on his fellow St. Louis native, even when scoring against one of his former teams in Ohio State.

Burden isn’t just a close friend, but he also admires Williams’ playing style, particularly his relentless effort to break tackles and extend plays. “I like how he always tries to make something happen when he gets the ball as well,” Burden said about Williams.

“He’s got a mentality to score and not go down by the first guy.” Burden brings a similar mentality to the game. Pro Football Focus credited him with 30 forced missed tackles, tied for the most in the nation. While his numbers dropped this past season, Burden continued to excel against man coverage, make contested catches, and display exceptional skills after the catch.

In 2023, Burden posted 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, drawing attention as a potential top receiver prospect. However, after returning for one more season, his production dipped to 676 yards and six touchdowns in one less game. “I feel like the opportunities I was given, I just tried to make my opportunities count when I was given the ball this year,” Burden explained about the decrease in his production.

“Obviously, there was a lot more sophomore year, so… I feel like I’m pretty much a gameplan (focus) for every team I face, so I mean, it’s not going to be easy getting me the ball. I knew that going into the games, so I was already aware.”

Missouri’s starting quarterback, Brady Cook, also dealt with injuries this past season, which contributed to his lower production. Cook, however, had high praise for his top target during the scouting combine. “They’re going to get a playmaker for sure,” Cook said about Burden. “Someone who can change the game when he has the ball in his hands. That’s Luther’s thing — He’s the superstar, get him the ball (and) he’s going to make special things happen. We’ve all seen it.”

Burden is likely to be selected in the first round. It’s hard to imagine him slipping too far in this year’s draft, given his ability after the catch and high-level production. The Lions, though, aren’t afraid to add to a position group that might be considered a strength. Still, they could benefit from more depth, as veteran wideouts Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson are about to hit free agency.

Burden is currently projected to go in the first round in over 90% of mock drafts, according to the Mock Draft Database. While he doesn’t bring the same physical presence as Patrick or Robinson, he would still add another playmaker to an offense that has ranked in the top five for scoring over the past three years.

“I just want to show that I’m the best on the field at all times,” Burden said. “I’m just coming here. I’ve got my head down, chip on my shoulder, and am just ready to work. “I got a mentality (of) as soon as I get the ball, trying to score, trying to put my team in the best position to be successful.”