Luther Burden

Browns, Texans, Titans All Receiving Trade Interest At Top Of 2nd Round

April 25th, 2025 at 5:21pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Browns, Texans, and Titans, who hold the first three picks in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, have been receiving trade interest for their selections, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Teams trading up are expected to target wide receivers and edge rushers, per Schultz, with both position groups believed to have “tangible drop-offs” on Day 2. However, front offices in Cleveland, Houston, and Tennessee will have to weigh the value of trading back with the risk of missing their primary target.

The Browns are fielding calls for the 33rd pick, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. They also have the 36th pick as a result of their trade with the Jaguars, so they could trade back and still get one or both of their priority second-round targets. Those targets are Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson and LSU TE Mason Taylor, according to Wolfe and Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. If the Browns trade back, they may want to stay in front of the Jets, who would likely take Taylor at 42, according to Pauline.

The Browns have also done extensive work on Day 2 quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Shough, per Wolfe, though they may wait until their third-round selections at 67 or 94 to draft one.

The Texans and the Titans may be more concerned about trading back and losing out on their preferred player. Both teams are interested in taking a wide receiver with their second-round pick, per Pauline, with Tennessee potentially eyeing Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins and Missouri’s Luther Burden. Houston was also widely expected to use their first-round pick on an offensive lineman; after trading back with the Giants, they may still use their top 2025 selection to bolster their O-line.

AFC Draft Rumors: Membou, Raiders, Titans, Jackson, Texans, Bengals, Jaguars

April 16th, 2025 at 1:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The top four teams in this draft seem pointed in certain directions, while value may tie the Jaguars to Mason Graham. At No. 6, the Raiders could go in a few directions. One of them could be an offensive line investment. Kolton Miller is entrenched at left tackle, though he is entering an age-30 season, but a question looms on the right side. The team could answer it at No. 6, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes the Raiders are giving strong consideration to leaving Ashton Jeanty on the board to take Missouri tackle Armand Membou. Although the superstar running back sits third on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board (compared to Membou’s 12th-place ranking), the latter carries greater positional value. John Spytek saw the Buccaneers hit on Tristan Wirfs at RT in the 2020 first round; that move helped QB-turned-Raiders part-owner Tom Brady. Membou would give Las Vegas a clear-cut RT answer to help Geno Smith, though Jeanty would boost the QB’s thin weaponry cadre. .

Here is the latest from the AFC draft landscape:

If the Raiders trade down, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller pairs them with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. Residing as one of the top corners in this draft, Barron matches up against Michigan’s Will Johnson for the honor of best pure CB — behind two-way star Travis Hunter — in this class, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. Jeremiah ranks Barron 11th overall, tabbing the ex-Longhorn as a player who can offer NFL teams the option of playing outside, in the slot or in the box. Johnson profiles as more of a straight-up boundary defender, though the recent slot CB payments underscore how high the league values perimeter defenders by comparison. The Raiders have a clear need at corner, having cut Antonio Pierce reclamation project Jack Jones.
The Jaguars could impede the Raiders on Membou, whom some teams view as a guard, or pluck Will Campbell at No. 5 — if the Patriots pass. Jacksonville added some midlevel options up front in free agency, signing ex-Ravens spork Patrick Mekari and ex-Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey. The team still extended Walker Little (under since-fired GM Trent Baalke) and has 2023 first-round tackle Anton Harrison under contract through 2026. Ezra Cleveland is also back, but the Jags could aim higher by adding Membou or Campbell. This scenario is not one to overlook, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora.
Seeing some issues form along their front, the Bengals join the Jags as a team expected to invest in O-line help, La Canfora adds. The team has tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and 2024 first-rounder Amarius Mims, but center Ted Karras and guard Cordell Volson are in contract years. The team could use interior help, potentially via multiple reinforcements next week.
The Texans and Titans are also looking into O-line help in this draft, each scheduling “30” visits with Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson before Wednesday’s deadline, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Titans brought in Jackson last week, while the Texans are meeting with him today. The left tackle for Ohio State’s national championship-winning team, Jackson profiles as a guard at the next level. He logged 31 consecutive starts at guard for the Buckeyes from 2022 until the midseason shift last year, giving teams plenty of data from a blue-blood program to evaluate.
The Titans also met with Missouri wide receiver prospect Luther Burden, per veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky. Burden met with the team Tuesday and could certainly fill a need in Nashville, as the Titans have not made a starter-level receiver addition — their Van Jefferson signing notwithstanding — after losing DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd.
Houston also met with Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. One of the best run defenders in this draft class, Grant could be a player to watch for the Chargers and the coach who signed him in college. The Texans ending Jim Harbaugh‘s first season slides them three draft slots lower than the Bolts (Nos. 22 and 25) in Round 1.

Draft Notes: Carter, Colts, Cowboys, Bengals, Falcons, Vikings, Bills, Burden, Broncos, Bears, Campbell

April 12th, 2025 at 12:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Abdul Carter‘s foot injury created some early-offseason concern, the Penn State prospect has not run into any real hurdles toward becoming a surefire top-four pick. The edge defender did not see any emerge during a Combine medical recheck, either, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Carter’s foot is improving and no surgery will be needed. The stress reaction Carter suffered kept him out of drills at the Nittany Lions’ pro day, but the potential Browns target has still built up enough capital pre-draft to turn down visit requests for teams holding picks outside the top four. He has met with the Browns and Titans and will stop his visits after the Giants (No. 3) and Patriots (No. 4).

Here is the latest from the draft:

One of the top non-Carter edge players in this prospect crop, James Pearce Jr. is continuing his visit schedule. The Tennessee product conducted recent visits with the Bengals, Colts, Cowboys and Falcons, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Pearce has already met with the Cardinals, and a report of Saints interest emerged. The Colts came up as a team interested in D-line augmentation, while the Falcons are prioritizing defense in this draft after their Michael Penix Jr. pick last year. The Bengals are still in an uncertain place with Trey Hendrickson, and Sam Hubbard retired.
Skill players have come up regarding the Broncos‘ first-round draft slot (No. 20), as the team added Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw on defense — after re-signing D.J. Jones. But strengthening a strength should not be ruled out here, per ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid. Viewing this running back class as deep enough the RB-seeking team can wait until after Round 1 to make that play, Reid mentions safety Nick Emmanwori as a wild-card option to watch. The No. 15 prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Emmanwori is a South Carolina product who could shift into the box in sub packages. The Broncos have Hufanga, Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke at safety; they are thinner at linebacker, with both Greenlaw and 31-year-old Alex Singleton coming off injuries.
Denver hosted Mizzou receiver Luther Burden, and it is possible the SEC pass catcher will be available on Day 2. Burden is likely to fall out of the first round, per ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, but the longtime draft expert views him as a first-round talent. A former top recruit, Burden fared much better as a sophomore in 2023 (1,212 yards, nine touchdown receptions) than 2024 (676/6), contributing to his potential second-round status. While Jeremiah labels Burden a slot player, Miller classifies the 5-foot-11 talent as someone who could make an impact outside.
Another player who may end up sliding a bit, Jihaad Campbell has seen a post-Combine shoulder surgery change his draft trajectory. Teams are gathering intel on the Alabama linebacker, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates, who indicates it would not surprise to see a top-20 talent in this draft fall toward the end of Round 1 or into the second round.
Mentioned as a team high on Ashton Jeanty, the Bears have more pressing needs than running back. Specifically, the team views defensive tackle as a bigger need than defensive end, Miller adds. This does not surprise, considering the team’s Dayo Odeyingbo deal. Despite the ex-Colt’s ability to rush from inside and the ensuing Grady Jarrett pickup, the Bears appear to have a clear interest in upgrading here. Miller ESPN colleague Courtney Cronin ponders a potential long-term play at left tackle, as Braxton Jones is in a contract year, in the first round as well.
Still in place as a top cornerback prospect despite missing last season with an ACL tear, Shavon Revel continues to meet with teams interested in his rebound effort. The Bills, Colts and Vikings met with the East Carolina CB this week, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Buffalo is in need of a corner to replace Rasul Douglas, who remains in free agency, while Indianapolis may still be interested in adding despite giving Charvarius Ward $18MM per year. Minnesota added Isaiah Rodgers to go with Byron Murphy but could certainly benefit from a higher-level investment.

2025 NFL Draft Visits: Schwesinger, Cowboys, Nolen, Ezeiruaku, Burden, Turner, Bond, Steelers, Emmanwori

April 6th, 2025 at 10:14pm CST by Ely Allen

This isn’t exactly a visit in the sense of top-30 visits, like most of the rest of bullets that follow this will be, but UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger held a private pro day earlier this week in Los Angeles and had 30 teams in attendance, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

While, obviously, not a comprehensive list, Schefter specifically mentions the Cowboys, Giants, Saints, Chargers, and Broncos, and notes that the linebackers coaches from Dallas, New York, and New Orleans all met privately with Schwesinger.

Schwesinger is not currently the top-ranked linebacker prospect in most analysts’ eyes, but he often slides in as the second-best off-ball linebacker in the class behind Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell — third if you count Georgia defender Jalon Walker, who has the ability to play every linebacker spot at the next level. Some thought Schwesinger may sneak into the back end of the first round at the end of the month, but more likely is that he hears his name on Day 2. Per Tony Pauline of sportskeeda, it would be surprising to see him fall past the first half of the second round.

Here are some more prospect-NFL team connections we’ve seen recent reports on:

The Cowboys have certainly been very busy in the runup to the 2025 NFL Draft. On Friday, the team held their invite-only “Dallas Day,” hosting draft prospects without the visits counting towards their top-30 visits. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton met with the team at “Dallas Day.” The well-balanced rusher continues to skyrocket up draft boards, is likely to join Ashton Jeanty in the first round, and has several other visits lined up.
Jeanty was also in attendance on Friday, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. We had relayed that Jeanty would be taking a top-30 visit with the Cowboys, but it’s unclear whether this is what was meant in that original report. Also in attendance for “Dallas Day” were Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon, TCU wide receivers Savion Williams and Jack Bech, Texas quarterback and offensive lineman Quinn Ewers and Cameron Williams, and Miami tight end and running back Elijah Arroyo and Damien Martinez.
Also in attendance at “Dallas Day” was Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Nolen will follow up his Dallas visit with a visit with the Panthers on Monday and a visit with the Bengals some other time this week.
Joining Nolen in Carolina on Monday will be Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, per Joe Person of The Athletic. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has been a hot topic with multiple scouts of late, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid. He’s currently viewed as an early-Day 2 prospect, and his stock continues to rise.
Speaking of another “Dallas Day” athlete, Wilson of KPRC 2 provided an updated list of teams that Turner, from Texas A&M, is set to visit with. We already noted his recent visit in New Orleans, but Wilson tells us that Turner has also visited the Texans and plans to visit the Ravens, Rams, Eagles, Dolphins, Colts, Buccaneers, and Cardinals.
According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, the Broncos hosted Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden for a top-30 visit last week. The talented wideout fell off in 2024 after an incredible sophomore campaign with the Tigers, but his high ceiling makes him a borderline first-round prospect. Denver would love to bring in another talented weapon for young quarterback Bo Nix.
We already reported recent visits for Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond in Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, and Los Angeles, but we now have a couple sources adding some new locations for the Longhorn. Wilson of KPRC 2 tells us that Bond had dinner with the Bills before a private workout Friday and a top-30 visit as well as visits with the Browns and Packers. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that Bond has visits scheduled with the Chiefs and Titans, as well.
Brooke Pryor of ESPN tells us that the Steelers hosted a full house on Thursday. Prospects on hand last week included Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, and Pittsburgh tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
Lastly, Pryor adds that Pittsburgh was one of the recent teams to host South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. The pre-draft standout had reportedly lined up visits with Atlanta, Carolina, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Miami already. The Steelers’ interest in the Gamecock is no surprise as he’s trending towards being a Day 1 selection at this point.

2025 WR Draft Class Lacking Top-End Talent

February 26th, 2025 at 8:11pm CST by Ely Allen

There seems to be a theme developing throughout the 2025 NFL Draft as we continue to draw nearer to the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s a consensus beginning to form that this draft lacks top-end, star talent, instead providing a deep group of likely starters and contributors. We’ve seen this assertion circulate with the quarterbacks and offensive tackles in this class already, but more recently, this opinion is starting to be applied to wide receivers, as well.

NFL fans have been spoiled in recent years with plenty of no-brainer, star first-round receivers from Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in 2024 to Drake London and Garrett Wilson in 2022 to Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith in 2021. This year’s crop more closely resembles the 2023 draft, in which a wide receiver wasn’t drafted until Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, and Jordan Addison were all chosen consecutively from pick Nos. 20-23.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter sits atop most draft boards, but the consensus seems to be that this is either because of his potential as a defensive back or his potential to contribute on both sides of the ball, however unlikely that may be in the NFL. Behind Hunter, players like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden, and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka are routinely seen as the next top options for the position.

For a time, McMillan was seen as the top wide receiver prospect, even being considered more valuable as a receiver than Hunter. As pundits and scouts have done deeper dives into the class, though, concerns have arisen over McMillan’s deep speed, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He still ranks easily as a first-round pick, thanks to a large frame that makes him an easy mismatch over most defenders, but that lack of top-end velocity is seemingly keeping him out of the top 10 picks. On ESPN’s First Draft Podcast, Mel Kiper Jr. claimed that McMillan is being viewed more in the range of picks from Nos. 12 to 22, per Nick Kendell of the Mile High Huddle.

Still, after Hunter and McMillan, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees a lot of receivers like Burden, Egbuka, and Texas’ Matthew Golden that he believes will be polished professionals in the back third of the first round, according to a breakdown he did with The Ringer’s Todd McShay and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

We may not see a surge of receivers taken in the top 10 like we’ve seen plenty of in recent years, but the lack of star power does not take away from the depth of the position. Wide receiver is typically a bit of a crapshoot in the first round of the draft, and this group is likely to continue that trend, but with how the position’s draft stock is shaping up, those risks will be coming later in the first round.

Missouri WR Luther Burden III To Enter Draft

December 2nd, 2024 at 1:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

Luther Burden III will turn pro this spring. The Missouri wideout confirmed on Monday he will declare for the 2025 NFL draft, foregoing the team’ bowl game in the process.

“I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” Burden said (via ESPN’s Pete Thamel). “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”

Burden made an impact as a true freshman in 2022. He recorded 375 yards on 45 catches, scoring eight total touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing). Last season saw him take a notable step forward with a statline of 86-1,212-9. That production earned him first-team All-SEC honors and helped Burden enter the 2024 campaign as one of the top draft-eligible receivers.

While the Tigers went 9-3 this season, their offense took a step back compared to 2023. Burden’s reception (61), yardage (676) and touchdown (six) totals all regressed, as did his efficiency (11.1 yards per catch). Still, the 5-11, 208-pounder should find himself squarely on the Day 1 radar come April’s draft.

Burden is seen as a top-five receiver prospect by ESPN’s draft analysts, with Matt Miller slotting him at the top of the board at the WR spot. The title of No. 1 option at that position may well belong to two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter, who as expected will also be in the 2025 class. It remains to be seen if Hunter will play on offense or defense at the NFL (if not both), though, and in terms of pure receivers Burden is joined by the likes of Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) and Isaiah Bond (Texas) as prospects who will not need to wait long to hear their names called.

Given his size and skillset – which entails plenty of production after the catch – Burden has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel. Teams in need of pass-catching help would certainly welcome the possibility of Burden enjoying a similar career to the 49ers All-Pro. In any case, he will be one of the top prospects to follow over the course of the pre-draft process.