Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.

The biggest priority for the Steelers this offseason must be revamping the wide receiver room, as they received next to nothing from anyone not named George Pickens or Calvin Austin III in 2025. Let’s take a look at a player who should be on their radar.

Position: Wide receiver

Class: Junior

Size: 5’11, 208 pounds

Age: 21

Projected draft round: Round 1

Luther Burden offensive stats via Sports Reference

Former Missouri Tigers WR Luther Burden is clearly in the top tier of pass-catchers in this class—a tier that might only include him and Arizona WR Tetairoia McMillan. If you looked at the 2025 NFL mock drafts before the college football season, Burden was often mocked in the top-10 picks. Now, he’s surfacing in the middle of the first round — and I’m not exactly sure what changed. His stats did take a dip, as he went from 86 catches to 61, but that was more a product of the futile team around him.

Burden’s playmaking ability should have Steelers fans salivating. Of course, that word is cliché when talking about highly ranked skill players. But it’s the 0-to-100 guys who stand out. Burden is the type of dude who can turn a quick hitch into an 80-yard touchdown. He’s also one of the fastest players in the class and can line up just about anywhere in the formation. He led the entire nation in missed tackles forced with 30.

He’s not as stocky or powerful, but he has some Deebo Samuel to his game. The Steelers have been rumored to be interested in the San Francisco 49ers receiver this offseason due to his versatility. You can use Burden much like Samuel – in the slot, lined up in the backfield, or even on the outside boundary. He’s challenging to follow when put in motion, as displayed above.

In addition to his flexibility, he’s also quite reliable. Over the past two seasons, he dropped just seven passes on 200 targets — a staggering number considering his significant involvement and the fact that defenses would primarily key in on him. He’s not afraid to catch the ball in traffic, either, which too often can be the case with smaller, elusive receivers.

At 5-foot-11, he measures up fine against boundary cornerbacks, but I suppose if there was a knock on him, it would be that he is a bit vertically challenged. He also could work to develop more of a complete route tree. When combing through his tape there were a lot of short screens, slants, and go’s. That could be a product of a muddled Missouri offensive scheme.

This has been a lovefest, so I have to find something he can improve on, right?

It’s also important to mention his ability to change a game on a dime on special teams. I think he’d be the Steelers’ kickoff and punt returner from Jump Street.

Luther Burden Strengths

Dynamic playmaking ability fueled by speed and acceleration
Reliable hands
Versatility and position flexibility

Weaknesses

Needs to improve route tree
Size and play strength against lanky, physical NFL cornerbacks

Lance Zierlien (Luther Burden III Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com)

Former five-star recruit who offers five-star athleticism and playmaking ability. Burden is a natural on the field with above-average speed and exciting ball skills to win at a high rate. He takes snaps off and short-circuits routes if he’s not the primary option, but he can separate and succeed on all three levels when it’s his time. Missouri exploited Burden’s yards-after-catch talent with a barrage of short throws, but NFL teams are much more likely to diversify his usage, activating his complete skill set and big-play potential. The production against top teams was uneven at times but so was Missouri’s quarterback play. Burden checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career.

Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department (Luther Burden III NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Missouri WR)

Overall, Luther Burden III is an explosive and dynamic run-after-catch threat. He should be able to carve out a similar role early in his NFL career. Burden has room to grow and elevate his game as a pro. He will benefit from being linked to a creative offensive coordinator who will utilize his full skill set to help the offense. The best way to implement Burden into the offensive system is to get him involved in the passing game from multiple alignments with pre-snap motion.

The Steelers have an abundance of issues on offense. We are still in the dark about who will be the starting quarterback, and we don’t know who the primary ball carrier will be. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Burden could be both a flanker in the slot and a Z-receiver, so that won’t dictate much.

I really like the fit if Justin Fields returns, allowing him to not be so reliant on his legs, as well as George Pickens. Arthur Smith’s offense is boring; Burden is not boring. The black and gold have constantly lacked big play ability. Pickens has that moonball factor, but he doesn’t have the dynamic speed some tend to think he does.

Here’s a comp you probably didn’t have on your radar: Miami Dolphins RB Devon Achane.

On the depth chart, Achane is a running back, but he’s sort of evolved into a hybrid receiver.

I don’t expect Burden to receive 15 carries a game, which is roughly what Achane was at – but he caught 78 passes for 592 yards last season. Maybe Burden can handle five to seven carries a game?

That swiss-army knife dynamic makes Achane an incredible asset. He ran a 4.32 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine, and I anticipate Burden will run in the high 4.3’s. Make sure you keep an eye on him, especially if he falls into the 10-20 range.

Could a trade-up could be in the cards? The electric factory is a place the Steelers need to shop this offseason. And Burden is worth the price of admission.

What are your thoughts on Missouri WR Luther Burden? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!