Luther Burden's loyalty may cost him NFL draft position

Luther Burden, a talented wide receiver for Missouri, has gained attention from NFL scouts. He was a highly ranked prospect in high school and helped his college team improve from a losing record to a winning one. However, his decision to stay at Missouri may affect his draft position. Burden's stats declined in his junior season. After thriving in his sophomore year with over 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns, he finished with only 676 yards and six touchdowns this past year. This drop has raised concerns among NFL experts about his draft prospects. Some analysts worry that Burden may not be picked in the top 15 of the NFL Draft. Despite being ranked No. 13 by CBS Sports, several experts believe other receivers will be chosen before him. Burden's struggles were partly due to an underperforming offense and injuries to key players on his team. Throughout the season, he faced challenging circumstances. Missouri's overall offense dropped in performance, making him a primary target for opposing defenses. His fewer opportunities to catch passes in advantageous situations negatively impacted his performance. Despite his struggles, Burden has remained loyal to Missouri. He turned down transfer offers to stay loyal to the program and to encourage other local talent to do the same. His contributions have helped the team achieve success, including a Cotton Bowl victory in 2023. Recently, Burden improved his draft outlook at the NFL combine, running a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. This has shown scouts that he still possesses the speed and talent needed at the professional level. Some analysts believe he could be a valuable addition to a team like the Detroit Lions, who could use his skills to compete for a Super Bowl. If Burden slips in the draft, it may highlight Missouri's challenges in utilizing his abilities during a difficult season.