By all accounts, the Detroit Lions have a very strong roster. Although they fell in the divisional round of the playoffs last season to the upstart Washington Commanders, they were picked to win the Super Bowl championship coming into the year, and they should remain strong contenders in 2025.
But no matter how talented a team is, it should never rest on its laurels. Quarterback Jared Goff played poorly in that postseason loss to Washington, and although the Lions already have two stud wide receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, another one couldn't hurt.
In its latest mock draft, CBS Sports has the team taking University of Missouri wideout Luther Burden III with the No. 28 overall pick.
"Don't let Burden's 2024 stats fool you -- he's a premier receiver prospect with upside galore," wrote Chris Trapasso.
In 2024, Burden had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns, but the year before that, he was at 86 receptions, 1,212 and nine touchdowns. In three college seasons, he totaled 2,263 receiving yards and 25 total touchdowns.
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III
© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
He has solid speed with a 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, and an NFL.com scouting report described him as having "five-star athleticism and playmaking ability" and a "multifaceted run-after-catch talent."
Detroit already led the NFL in points scored and first downs last season. Just imagine how much scarier that offense could look with Burden, especially once he gets used to the pro game.
