In a recent 2025 NFL mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts bypassed their needs at tight end, safety, and cornerback and instead took a receiver at 14th overall.
With Tyler Warren and Malaki Starks already off the board before the Colts were picking, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso opted for Indianapolis to take Missouri wide out Luther Burden.
“How about another shifty YAC type at receiver to pair for Year 3 of Anthony Richardson?” wrote Trapasso.
During the last three seasons at Missouri, Burden has been a reliable and heavily targeted pass-catching option in the offense, hauling in 71% of the 275 targets that came his way. He averaged 11.8 yards per catch with 21 touchdowns as well.
For more on Burden, here is a snippet of what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft report:
“Missouri exploited Burden’s yards-after-catch talent with a barrage of short throws, but NFL teams are much more likely to diversify his usage, activating his complete skill set and big-play potential.”
As one of the top receivers in this class, it’s not surprising that Burden was taken in this range in Trapasso’s mock draft.
But having said that, adding to the receiver room is not a luxury that the Colts have at this stage of the draft. In fact, with a room already made up of Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and AD Mitchell, one could easily argue that this is the last position that should be addressed with premium capital.
As GM Chris Ballard said after the season, at 8-9 in 2024, the Colts aren’t close. And if adding competition is going to be an emphasis this offseason then there are a lot of other position groups that should take priority for the Colts rather than receiver.
In addition to that, over 82% of Burden’s snaps the last two seasons have come from the slot–although he does have boundary experience–but as we know, the Colts already have Josh Downs filling that role.
In early February, I don’t want to be the ‘that won’t happen’ guy, but I have a hard time envisioning the Colts adding a receiver in the first round.
