The Detroit Lions may be preparing for the future by selecting a potential successor to Jameson Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft. While some believe Williams will continue to be a core piece of the team, the financial constraints of paying top-tier money to Amon-Ra St. Brown may make retaining Williams for the long haul a challenge. The Lions front office could be eyeing a solution down the road.
In his latest three-round mock draft, Dan Trapasso predicts the Lions will pick up Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden in the first round. This move could be a strategic play to safeguard the team’s receiving corps for the future. While Burden’s numbers slightly declined in 2024, with 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns, his potential is undeniable.
Trapasso emphasizes that Burden is far from defined by his 2024 statistics, pointing out that the wideout was one of the most electrifying playmakers in college football just a year prior, with 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. Across his college career, Burden accumulated 192 receptions, 2,263 yards, and 21 touchdowns. His combination of speed, smooth route running, and ability to create yards after the catch make him an enticing prospect.
Burden turned heads at the NFL Combine with an impressive 4.41-second 40-yard dash and a swift 1.54-second 10-yard split. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 206 pounds, his physical attributes—coupled with strong hands and blazing speed—make him a prime candidate to excel as a top outside target in the NFL.
The Lions’ passing game, already potent with St. Brown and Williams, could benefit from the addition of a dynamic receiver like Burden. While the team’s current receiving trio looks promising, investing in Burden would help ensure Detroit maintains offensive excellence, even if Williams’ contract demands make him too costly to retain.
