GREEN BAY, Wis. – Is there a need for the Green Bay Packers to enhance their group of receivers? “We need someone who has already established themselves as a No. 1,” stated running back Josh Jacobs at the Super Bowl. The availability of established No. 1 receivers this offseason is unlikely to meet the demand.
Thus, the Packers might have to turn their attention to the 2025 NFL Draft. In a seven-round mock draft by Pro Football Network, the Packers picked Missouri wideout Luther Burden III with the 23rd overall selection. PFN’s Ian Cummings wrote: “(Burden’s) 2024 season didn’t quite reach the anticipated productivity, but he still possesses WR1 attributes, and Josh Jacobs feels Green Bay still requires a WR1. Burden’s RAC style mirrors the great Packers of the past, yet he boasts exceptional three-level potential.”
During his three-year tenure at Missouri, Burden caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards (averaging 11.8) and 21 touchdowns. His standout year was in 2023, with 86 catches for 1,212 yards (14.1 average) and nine touchdowns. However, in 2024, his stats dropped to 61 receptions for 676 yards (11.1 average) and six touchdowns, with his yards-per-game decreasing from 93.2 to 56.3.
Nevertheless, Pro Football Focus’ data highlights Burden’s potential. Notably, he led the nation in 2024 with 30 missed tackles forced after the catch. Over his last two seasons, he broke 50 tackles, averaging 7.3 yards after the catch. His hands are reliable too, with 147 catches and only seven drops in his final two seasons.
“He excels when the ball is in his hands,” wrote NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, ranking Burden as the No. 32 overall prospect. Burden mostly operated from the slot – 85.3 percent in 2024 and 81.7 percent in 2023. The Packers already have Jayden Reed for the slot role. Burden acknowledged the Boys & Girls Club for his athletic ascent.
“Having a place that essentially saved me? It’s just a blessing,” he shared with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “With numerous wrong paths to take in St. Louis and the surrounding area, football saved my life. I believe without Herbert Hoover (Boys & Girls Club), I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
In the second round, the Packers addressed a major need at cornerback with Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas. Throughout three seasons, Thomas intercepted two passes. In 2023, he recorded no interceptions and defended 10 passes. In 2024, he had one interception and five passes defensed. Yet, PFF’s statistics reveal his prowess. He allowed just 17 receptions from 33 targets for 141 yards in 2024, conceding no more than 28 yards in any game. “Unproductive only because quarterbacks avoided him, Azareye’h Thomas possesses the length, fluidity, and competitive edge to be a fixture for Green Bay,” Cummings remarked.
Thomas not only brings skill but also size, standing 6-foot-1 1/2 with 32 1/2-inch arms. Jeremiah recognized him as one of his 12 Senior Bowl standouts. His elder brother, Juanyeh Thomas, plays safety for the Dallas Cowboys. “As I often say, he’s a professional,” Florida State’s defensive coach Patrick Surtain commented during spring practices. “He approaches everything professionally, from the classroom to the meeting room and on the field.”
Their third-round pick addressed another necessity with Miami defensive end Tyler Baron, who recorded six sacks and 11 tackles for loss at Tennessee in 2023, and 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss at Miami in 2024. Baron, who measured 6-foot-4 1/2 and 262 pounds at the East-West Shrine Game, boasted an elite pass-rush win rate of 19.0 percent, per PFF. “The Packers’ high-risk, high-reward strategy at edge hasn’t always succeeded, but Tyler Baron offers the power, flexibility, and upward trajectory worth betting on,” Cummings noted.
His position coach at Miami was Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. “His size is immediately noticeable,” Taylor stated before the season. “All measurements are impressive. He’s versatile, having played across the line at Tennessee. He possesses a good range of pass-rush techniques and exerts an incredible effort.
That’s crucial. We often remind our players that effort is the ultimate eraser. When plays don’t unfold perfectly, effort can rectify it. His relentless motor is invaluable. It’s unteachable. He balances physicality with finesse, adapts to space, and bends easily for a tall player. He has numerous impressive qualities.”
Day 3 selections were dedicated to acquiring a center, defensive tackle, a large receiver, a linebacker, and an offensive tackle.
