Cris Collinsworth knows a thing or two about wide receivers. After all, he was a three-time Pro Bowler during his eight-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Now an analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Football and majority owner of Pro Football Focus, Collinsworth recently weighed in on Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III.
"My favorite player in the draft at receiver is Luther Burden out of Missouri," Collinsworth said in a video posted to social media. "I think Luther Burden is a guy that is going to take the league by storm, I really do. When I was watching him, I was just going 'oh my gosh', there's nothing this guy does that I don't just love."
Once a projected top-15 pick a few months prior, Burden's draft stock has fallen primarily due to a huge dip in his production from 2023 to 2024. In 2023, the slot receiver finished with 86 receptions for 1,212 yards (14.1 YPC average) and nine touchdowns. Last season, Burden had 61 catches for 676 yards (11.1 YPC) and six receiving touchdowns. He also had 115 yards and two touchdowns via the ground.
Despite the noise surrounding Burden's slide, Collinsworth likened the versatile Mizzou wideout to a current Washington Commanders star. "When you talk about Deebo Samuel. He [Burden] plays like that, but he's faster," Collinsworth said. He also suggested the 6-foot-0, 206-pound specimen from St. Louis could have a major impact on the NFL team he joins. "When you have a physical presence at the wide receiver position, it just does something to your team."
A recent Pro Football Focus seven-round mock draft projects Burden to be picked No. 24 by the New Orleans Saints. In his final four-round mock draft, Athlon Sports guru Luke Easterling has Burden being selected in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 36 overall.
The 2025 NFL Draft began on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Former Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III is one of the more intriguing pass-catching prospects in the draft. Known for his big-play ability and above-average speed, Burden was a standout athlete at East St. Louis Senior High School, where he played both football and basketball. When he decided to pursue football full-time, his parents had his back — supporting him every step of the way.
Burden III’s father, Luther Burden II, played college basketball at Saint Louis University. His mother is Gaye Union. Together, they raised 10 kids — nine daughters and Luther III. Burden III is the second youngest in the family and shares a close bond with his youngest sister, Robin. His dad was once considered a promising basketball prospect, even drawing interest from the Indiana Pacers, who reportedly encouraged him to join the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) to refine his game. But things took a turn when Burden II was sentenced to four years in prison. After serving 12 months, he returned home and took on jobs at Walmart and as a caregiver at a local hospital. As of 2022, he was working at a supermarket distribution center.
Burden III began his football journey at East St. Louis Senior High, where he stood out in both football and basketball. A five-star recruit and one of the top-10 prospects in the country, Burden committed to Missouri in 2022. He started 10 of the 13 games he played as a freshman. In his sophomore season, Burden broke out as a starter. He racked up 1,212 receiving yards — second in the SEC and ninth nationally — and earned First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-America honors. He followed that up with another First-Team All-SEC nod during his final season with the Tigers.
According to Pro Football Network’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Burden is projected as an early second-round pick, landing at No. 35 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee is also heavily linked to quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, setting the stage for a potential QB-WR duo of the future. If the Titans do pair Ward with Burden, it’ll be interesting to see how that chemistry develops.
With the draft now underway, all eyes are on Burden as teams evaluate their options and make critical decisions that could shape their futures. As Collinsworth noted, Burden's physical presence and speed make him a player to watch, and it seems likely that whichever team selects him will be getting a player with the potential to make an immediate impact on the field.
As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, the importance of dynamic wide receivers like Burden cannot be overstated. With his unique skill set and the right opportunity, he could very well become a cornerstone of the franchise that believes in his talent. The excitement surrounding him reflects not only his capabilities but also the potential for a thrilling career ahead.
As the 2025 NFL Draft unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see where Burden lands and how he will fit into the plans of his new team. The anticipation is palpable, and as Collinsworth suggests, the league may soon find itself captivated by the electrifying plays that Luther Burden III is sure to deliver.
