Commanders an ideal fit for top receiver prospect

[ASFN Admin]

The Washington Commanders traded for former Pro Bowl wide receiver Deebo Samuel, giving quarterback Jayden Daniels another top weapon alongside Terry McLaurin. Washington entered the offseason with only two wide receivers under contract for 2025: McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey.

Since free agency opened last week, the Commanders lost Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus but re-signed Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn. While it may sound like Washington is done at receiver, it's safe to assume general manager Adam Peters will add another wideout in next month's NFL draft.

When will the Commanders address the wide receiver position? In the first round? Second round? Or sometime on Day 3. If Washington remains at No. 29 and Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden is available, it should be an easy call for Peters, even if the Commanders haven't addressed edge rusher.

Burden wouldn't give the Commanders a huge target (6-foot-0, 206), but he's everything else offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury loves in a wide receiver. He's physical, explosive, and outstanding after the catch. He'd also complement McLaurin and Samuel perfectly due to his speed.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report named the best and worst fits for the top seven wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. None of the top seven were deemed a bad fit for Washington. However, Burden was picked

Entering this season, Missouri's Luther Burden III was viewed as a potential top-five-to-10-caliber prospect. The season didn't work out quite the way he hoped. Thus, his standing is nearly as much about value as fit.

Burden does have first-round talent. His 2023 tape shows a player every bit as good as Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. when the LSU Tigers played against Missouri.

Jayden Daniels was also on the field that day.

The Washington Commanders have already acquired Deebo Samuel via trade, but general manager Adam Peters shouldn't stop there. Burden can immediately fill the slot receiver role alongside Terry McLaurin and Samuel.

While Washington doesn't pick until later in the first round, Burden is good enough to warrant a selection on the draft's first day. If he were to slide into Day 2, disappointment would likely set in, even with the top pick of the second round.

Burden had an excellent college career. It seems like the NFL, at least those doing mock drafts, are overthinking it with Burden. He's a Day 1 playmaker. Could you imagine an offense with Daniels, Burden, McLaurin, Samuel, Austin Ekeler and Zach Ertz? That would make an already tough offense downright scary.

Throughout the season, Burden liked and commented on several Jayden Daniels-related posts on social media. It sure sounds like Burden would love to join the Commanders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Luther Burden is an ideal fit for the Washington Commanders

Continue reading...