The dust is beginning to settle on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, and a number of notable prospects are still on the board as teams prepare for Day 2. Among them is Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, who was expected to be a first-round selection but slipped past the initial round, leaving many analysts and fans surprised.
Burden, a standout during his time at Mizzou, finished his college career with impressive stats, racking up 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns. His 2023 season was particularly stellar, where he accumulated 1,212 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. However, his production dipped in 2024, leading to concerns about his draft stock. He ended the season with just 676 receiving yards and six touchdowns, which contributed to his unexpected fall in the draft.
The first round of the draft saw Miami quarterback Cam Ward selected as the No. 1 overall pick, while the New York Giants traded up to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Burden’s absence from the first round was marked by the selection of four wide receivers ahead of him: Travis Hunter to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 2, Tetairoa McMillan to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8, Emeka Egbuka to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19, and Matthew Golden to the Green Bay Packers at No. 23.
Despite being regarded as a near-consensus first-round pick earlier in the season, Burden’s draft prospects dimmed due to various factors, including questions about his character and maturity. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz defended Burden against these critiques, stating, “There are these quiet critics out here who say he has a character problem. My response to everybody has been, he’s never been arrested, he’s never had a public incident at our university, he has never once been to my office to complain about his role. He’s just been a great teammate.”
As Day 2 of the draft approaches, Burden is projected to be one of the top available prospects. NFL.com lists him as the third-best prospect entering Round 2, trailing only edge rusher Mike Green and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson Jr. Multiple mock drafts have suggested that Burden could land with the Tennessee Titans at No. 35 or the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 36. The lowest projection for him is No. 47 to the Arizona Cardinals, which is considered a surprising drop given his talent level.
In addition to Burden, other notable prospects still available include Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson Jr. and Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III are also awaiting their names to be called as the draft continues.
The 2025 NFL Draft is taking place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, continuing on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see where Burden and the other remaining prospects will land as teams look to bolster their rosters with fresh talent.
As the excitement builds for Day 2, many are left wondering how Burden will respond to this unexpected turn of events. Will he rise to the occasion and prove the doubters wrong? Only time will tell as the NFL Draft unfolds.
