Luther Burden should've been a 1st round pick. Based on the eye test alone, the Missouri wide receiver had every tool you could possibly want. Size? Speed? Tackle-breaking ability? Route-running skills? They were all there. Yet he still fell to the 39th pick, where the Chicago Bears gleefully scooped him up. Some have indicated Burden's rather aloof personality as to why he fell that far. That might be part of it. However, his significant dip in production last season likely caused his stock to sag.
Burden was a force in 2023, going for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He took a step back last year, managing just 676 yards and six touchdowns. Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune spoke to Missouri wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler about what happened. He attributed the problems to two key factors. One was a concerted effort by SEC defenses to blanket Burden in coverage. The other was something that wasn't previously mentioned.
Missouri's quarterback was playing hurt.
Peeler attributed Burden’s drop in production in 2024 to several things. Opponents made a concerted effort to stop him after his 1,200-yard season. Also, quarterback Brady Cook was dealing with a wrist injury that affected his throwing motion throughout the second half of the season.
“The one thing I was impressed with (Burden), he never let it get to him,” Peeler said. “He never got frustrated to the point where it was ever a detriment. Most receivers either always want the ball or otherwise they’re playing the wrong position. But he was a great teammate, never once got frustrated to the point that I even saw it.”
Luther Burden can't control the situation around him.
Wide receivers are always at the mercy of their surroundings. If the quarterback is hurt or isn't good, their production will suffer. Brady Cook was pretty effective two years ago, throwing for 3300 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions, averaging nine yards per pass attempt. Last year, that dropped to 7.9 while his completion percentage went from 66 to 62. Clearly, his accuracy was suffering, which backs up Peeler's statement about him not being 100%. Luther Burden was still the most effective weapon on the team, leading in touchdowns and even punt return yardage. It shouldn't be crazy to think that putting him in a proven system under Ben Johnson, with a former #1 pick throwing him the ball, that he should experience success closer to that breakout year in 2023.
