INDIANAPOLIS -- Luther Burden III is a potential first-round wide receiver pick in this year’s NFL draft.

The Detroit Lions have two 1,000-yard wide receivers in Jameson Williams and All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them target the position this year, with some more depth and youth needed for their explosive passing attack.

Burden, the standout Missouri wide receiver, said he loves to watch St. Brown and Williams, as well. He also spoke about how he and Williams grew up together in St. Louis, playing in the same Little League organization and attending the same high school for a moment .

“I think he’s (Burden III) going to be a top-5 pick. He’s one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever seen,” Williams said of Burden last June . “Basketball, football, he’s doing it. I watched every single Mizzou game last year. I never watched a Mizzou game. I ain’t gonna lie. But Mookie (Cooper) and Luther, that’s the only two people I’m watching. Those are my guys.”

Williams hasn’t been shy about cheering for his fellow St. Louis native, either, even when scoring against one of his former teams in Ohio State .

And Burden isn’t just a close friend. He loves the way Williams plays and how he’s always trying to break a tackle or extend a play by finding any sliver of daylight.

“I like how he always tries to make something happen when he gets the ball as well,” Burden said of Williams. “He’s got a mentality to score and not go down by the first guy.”

Burden has a lot of that in his game, too. Pro Football Focus credited him with 30 forced missed tackles, which was tied for most in the nation. Burden’s numbers were down this last season, but he continued to dominate man coverage, make contested catches and add a slippery ability after the catch.

In 2023, Burden had 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns and had a ton of eyes on him as a potential top-flight receiver prospect. Some of that buzz has faded after returning to school for one last year, with his production getting slashed to 676 yards and six scores in just one fewer game.

“I feel like the opportunities I was given, I just tried to make my opportunities count when I was given the ball this year, “Burden said when asked about the dip in production.” Obviously, there was a lot more sophomore year, so ...

“I feel like I’m pretty much a gameplan (focus) for every team I face, so I mean, it’s not going to be easy getting me the ball. I knew that going into the games, so I was already aware.”

Missouri’s starting quarterback, Brady Cook, was also dealing with injuries throughout this past season, which didn’t help. Cook’s production dropped by about 800 passing yards and 10 touchdowns from 2023 to 2024. The quarterback still had a ton of praise for his top target when talking from the scouting combine, too.

“They’re going to get a playmaker for sure,” Cook said of what an NFL team is getting with Burden. “Someone who can change the game when he has the ball in his hands. That’s Luther’s thing -- He’s the superstar, get him the ball (and) he’s going to make special things happen. We’ve all seen it.”

Burden is likely going to cost a first-round pick. It’s hard to imagine him falling too far in this year’s draft based on the receiver class, his ability after the catch and his high-level production.

The Lions are not afraid of adding to a position group that might be considered a strength. But they could use a little depth, with veteran wideouts Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson about to hit free agency.

Burden is going in the first round of more than 90% of mock drafts at this stage in the process, per the Mock Draft Database . He wouldn’t bring that physical, outside presence like Patrick or Robinson. But he would add another playmaker to an offense that has finished top-five in scoring for three straight years.

“I just want to show that I’m the best on the field at all times,” Burden said. “I’m just coming here. I’ve got my head down, chip on my shoulder, and am just ready to work.

“I got a mentality (of) as soon as I get the ball, trying to score, trying to put my team in the best position to be successful.”