The Denver Broncos are preparing for a Week 5 battle with the Las Vegas Raiders, a key AFC West matchup, but those who follow the college game and the NFL Draft process don't ever take a break. Looking at mock drafts, even to get familiar with potential future Broncos, is always exciting.
There are still 13 regular season games left which will all play a part in determining how this season finishes up for the Broncos, and where they will select in the first round of next year's draft. In his most recent mock for The 33rd Team, Kyle Crabbs has the Broncos in the top 10, slotted in at the No. 9 spot.
There are some great wide receivers in the 2025 draft class, and Crabbs has the Broncos taking one. For those Broncos fans who would love to have Travis Hunter, would you settle for Luther Burden III? For those saying no, don't be too quick to dismiss the Missouri product.
Luther Burden would be a versatile weapon for the Denver Broncos
Burden was a five-star recruit coming out of college and has shined in his time at Missouri. He has yet to turn 21 years of age and already looks like he would contribute at a high level in the NFL.
.@Rivals No. 1 WR in the 2022 class Luther Burden is an absolute beast.
— Clint Cosgrove (@IamClint_C) October 7, 2023
1st half stat line: 9 receptions / 110 ydspic.twitter.com/yLCDwtHQKm
Burden can make contested catches, can turn a short catch into a huge gain with his play-making ability following the catch, and can offer an offense a versatile weapon that can line up all over the formation. Some scouts have even suggested he could take on a role similar to what Deebo Samuel does with the San Francisco 49ers, and help out in the running game as well.
The Broncos will need another wide receiver in order to help the growth of Bo Nix as a passer. Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds are nice options, but the team needs an elite weapon. That player is not currently on the roster, but Burden would change that instantly.
For the Broncos to land a guy like Burden, it would mean the 2024 season ended in rough fashion, unless they chose to make a trade up in the first round. Burden is a top-10 pick in almost any mock draft out there, but that could change by the time we get to the end of April next year.
Crabbs has Hunter going with the No. 1 overall pick and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan also being taken ahead of Burden, but if the Broncos were able to get their hands on any of those players next spring, it would be cause for celebration.
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