Buffalo Bills wide receiver was the team’s first selection in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Although his rookie campaign wasn’t particularly standout, the Bills remain optimistic about his growth and future impact.
That said, the team isn’t expected to overlook the wide receiver position moving forward.
In a recent mock draft from Bills Wire, they project that Buffalo will use its first-round pick to select Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, who could be a strong complement to both Coleman and breakout star Khalil Shakir.
“If Keon Coleman develops as hoped, the Bills could be looking at a dynamic pairing with him and Burden,” Bills Wire noted. “Coleman brings size and a physical presence, while Burden offers speed and vertical playmaking. With tight end Dalton Kincaid also in the mix, quarterback Josh Allen could have a well-rounded group of weapons for the foreseeable future. Burden had his best season in 2023, posting 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.”
At this point in the draft process, Burden is widely regarded as a first-round talent. However, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has pointed out some concerns.
“He sometimes takes plays off when he’s not the primary target and may cut routes short,” Zierlein explained. “Still, he’s capable of creating separation at all levels when fully engaged. Missouri leaned heavily on his yards-after-catch ability with short passes, but NFL teams will likely look to expand his role to unlock his full skill set. While his production against stronger opponents was inconsistent, that can be partly attributed to Missouri’s quarterback situation. He still checks many of the boxes that often point to a successful NFL career.”
Will those red flags cause the Bills to pass on Burden? That seems unlikely, given their approach.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is seen diving for a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium.