Mock Draft Monday: The Steelers add a slot receiver with their top pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2025 offseason. With free agency as the next big event to shape next season’s roster, it will be followed by the NFL draft in April. The Steelers will have a number of decisions with players who were on the 2024 roster and will have the opportunity to add some free agent acquisitions before making their first draft selection. The NFL combine and player pro days will also shape the team’s big boards before the draft.

When talking about mock drafts or NFL free agency, one first has to first identify the team’s main needs for the offseason. Before any gains or losses in free agency, there are some who would like to see the Steelers go with either cornerback or defensive line with their first-round pick. Others feel wide receiver or even quarterback could be on top of the list. With plenty of chances for the Steelers to shape their roster prior to April, their goal is usually to get into position to draft the best player available rather than target a specific position. When it comes to what position the team will select with their first pick, it is certainly up for debate.

In the latest one-round mock draft by CBSSports.com, they have the Steelers addressing the wide receiver position this season before anything else. With the Steelers needing to add to this position group, likely both in either free agency and the draft, selecting a wide receiver in the first round is not a bad idea if the right player is there. Since the Steelers could go in any number of directions with their first selection, it is important to look at all the possibilities presented by various mock draft outlets.

Check out the Steelers 21st pick:

21. Pittsburgh Steelers | Luther Burden III  | WR | Missouri | JR |

Being early in the draft process, there may be some players most fans are not familiar with. If this is the case, here is a breakdown of Burden according to bleacherreport.com:

Luther Burden III

• HEIGHT: 5’11”
• WEIGHT: 205

POSITIVES
— Dynamic playmaker who excels with the football in space.
— Special teams value as a punt returner
— Generates big plays with post-catch burst and acceleration.
— Alignment versatile offers creative play-calling possibilities.
— Excellent play strength, routinely breaking tackles.

NEGATIVES
— Slot-heavy usage, limited outside snaps since the start of 2023.
— Consistently having answers when facing press alignment.
— Having fewer concentration drops.

NOTES
— Born Dec. 12, 2003
— 5-star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports
— 2023 First-Team All-SEC; Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist

OVERALL

Luther Burden III is a dynamic playmaking slot receiver who needs the football. Whether down the field or in the quick passing game, get Burden involved.

Burden excels working out of the slot, which gives him a two-way go to get into his route. He effectively handles “gadget” or manufactured touch plays in space. Burden’s alignment versatility opens up the playbook to create mismatches and advantageous matchups. He has aligned in the backfield at running back, in bunch and stacked sets.

Burden is great after the catch due to his play strength, contact balance, and body control. He is a tackle-breaking machine who runs through arm tackle attempts routinely. Burden has an explosive and dynamic burst/acceleration to generate chunk plays after the catch. He brings enough straight-line speed to win on slot fades down the field. Burden’s experience as a punt returner shows up on offense. When the ball is in his hands, he weaves in and out of traffic, evading pursuing defenders. Surprisingly, Burden wins in contested catch situations due to his innate play strength and ultra-competitive drive.

However, Burden’s frame and wingspan are not great. This can present challenges to win at the catch point against longer NFL cornerbacks. Due to his slot-heavy alignment, Burden does not face much press alight or jam technique. Another potential challenge at the next level is teams playing more two-high coverages. Burden will need to handle more physical coverage when presented with it and have answers with his release package and route running abilities. Throughout his career, concentration drops have been a concern. So far, so good this season, but it is worth watching. As a result of Missouri’s offense creating advantageous opportunities for him, Burden’s route-running and route-tree are not as robust as other wide receiver prospects.

Overall, Luther Burden III is an explosive and dynamic run-after-catch threat. He should be able to carve out a similar role early in his NFL career. Burden has room to grow and elevate his game as a pro. He will benefit from being linked to a creative offensive coordinator who will utilize his full skill set to help the offense. The best way to implement Burden into the offensive system is to get him involved in the passing game from multiple alignments with pre-snap motion.

GRADE: 7.9 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 26
POSITION RANK: WR5
PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Curtis Samuel & Randall Cobb

For all you who are preparing yourself for the draft, what do you think of the selection? Would you be on board with the Steelers taking Burden with their first pick? Or do you feel there is a better player at this position, a different one who may still be available, or that Burden will not make it to the 21st pick? Personally, I know the Steelers have to address the wide receiver position even if they keep George Pickens, let alone if they decide to trade him. Does a slot wide receiver excite me with the Steelers current roster? It doesn’t right now, but the Steelers still have free agency to make sure that they’re covered on the outside. This is a pick that’s a little difficult to get excited about right now but might make more sense when the draft rolls around.