The initial stage of NFL free agency has concluded, and many teams are starting to direct their attention to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Up to this point in free agency, the Detroit Lions have remained quite subdued. Aside from backup quarterback Kyle Allen, all of the team’s major external additions thus far have been on defense.
The team signed experienced corner D.J. Reed to take the place of Carlton Davis and also acquired depth players Roy Lopez and Grant Stuard. The deficiency of actions on offense may suggest the team’s intentions for the draft.
Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports has recently released a three-round mock draft, featuring the Lions selecting explosive wide receiver Luther Burden in the first round. Concerning Burden’s possible suitability in Detroit, Trapasso shared this insight.
“Don’t be deceived by Burden’s 2024 stats — he’s an elite receiving talent with immense potential,” Trapasso stated.
In 2024, Burden recorded 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. This marked a decline from Burden’s remarkable 2023 season, during which the receiver made 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.
Nonetheless, Missouri’s offense as a whole struggled in 2024, making Burden’s drop in performance easily understandable. Burden remains a top-tier athlete known for his outstanding route-running skills and ability to make plays after the catch.
Burden concludes his time at Missouri with 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns over 38 games. The swift runner displayed inconsistency in college, but his innate talent and athletic prowess are undeniable.
Burden may have elevated his draft value during the combine in Indianapolis. The receiver ranked second in grades among all receivers, trailing only two-way standout Travis Hunter. The Missouri athlete recorded a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and a 1.54 in the 10-yard split.
Measuring 6 feet tall and weighing 206 pounds, Burden possesses the solid hands and physique to serve as a dependable asset on the outside in the NFL. The Lions presently list experienced Tim Patrick as a starting option on the outside, allowing Burden to step in and take on a significant role right away.
The Lions already possess Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta, so bringing in Burden would make the offense even more formidable. Burden’s dependable hands have even led to the receiver being compared to St. Brown, suggesting that Detroit could be an ideal match.
Although defense was the Lions’ primary flaw in 2024, boosting an already-elite offense with additional weapons could be a wise decision. Given the team’s inactivity in free agency to date, it seems the draft will focus primarily on offense.