Prospect Profile: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Evaluation

Releasing from the Line

He has outstanding athletic ability, specifically his speed and explosion which he utilizes in the release portion of the route. When executing space releases, he closes the space to the defender well with a variety of techniques, then uses the explosion to make single and double moves off the line work, and can accelerate off the line. He is physical and competitive with good play strength, so when he is jammed, he is able to release into his route stem efficiently. He could stand to add more of a plan against press with a jam, and add more polish to his work with his hands, but this will likely come with more reps as he wasn’t jammed too often in college. Against off or bail coverage, he doesn’t have as much play speed and could close cushion more quickly to attack leverage. When he gets to the break point on shorter routes that call for a speed cut, there is far too much rise and he doesn’t make the transition quickly. On dig routes or deep outs, he has a good brake step but his drive step and subsequent line step allow the defender back into the rep. His technique on these type of short and intermediate routes that call for a 90 degree cut consistently lets him down and means he is unable to take advantage of his athletic ability to win at the top of his routes in these situations.

On more hard angle breaks for hitches and deep comebacks, he can snap off his acceleration effectively and use his explosive ability to stop quickly, giving him a chance to create separation but he consistently allows DBs with better ball skills a chance to win at the catch-point as he doesn’t work back to the Quarterback and doesn’t understand where hits will be coming from when working against zone coverage. He could generally do a better job in underneath and intermediate areas identifying coverage quicker and finding soft spots. He could also be a better salesman and often tips his hand to the DB when you inspect his stem more closely. On vertical routes, both go routes and those that call for a vertical cut, he can be dangerous against even the best competition. He has an effective bam step and can get the defender to turn the wrong way or remain flat-footed as he breaks to the corner or the post, before deploying his acceleration and speed to win emphatically. 

Getting Open

He has really good hands and catches the ball outside his frame effectively. He attacks all types of target well and positions his hands correctly to give him the best chance at securing the catch. He has good body positioning to adjust to the football but there is the small deficiency already mentioned, ensuring he protects the football against better DBs. He does not win consistently with YAC with change of direction or contact balance, though he can run away from defenders.