The Houston Texans won the AFC South and made the Divisional Round for the second straight year in 2024, but the team didn’t feel as exciting as the year before. Quarterback C.J. Stroud wasn’t as effective in his second year and injuries limited the offense’s firepower.
The Texans traded for Steffon Diggs, but injuries limited his production to just 496 receiving yards, with Nico Collins as the only one to cross 1,000. They are now predicted to add a top receiving weapon in the 2025 NFL Draft, Missouri junior Luther Burden III.
Texans Predicted To Trade Up for Luther Burden III in 2025 NFL Draft
Diggs was expected to fit nicely with Collins and Tank Dell, but injuries limited the trio to just three games played together, and Stroud never saw the full potential of his weapons. The team benefited from a weak division, but Stroud regressed, throwing for nearly 400 fewer yards, three fewer touchdowns, and seven more interceptions than in his rookie season.
With Diggs set to be a free agent and Dell still recovering from the knee injury, NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice predicts the Texans will trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft and pick Burden as the 22nd overall pick. The Texans are originally picking 25th, and Filice believes they will trade the pick with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“With Stefon Diggs approaching free agency and Tank Dell recovering from a devastating knee injury that could cost him the entire 2025 season, Houston’s light at receiver. C.J. Stroud undoubtedly would love to reunite with Emeka Egbuka, but in this simulation, Pittsburgh just intercepted the Ohio State wideout (as 21st pick),” Filice wrote.
“The Texans respond with action, trading up to snag a YAC monster who could fit quite nicely alongside big-bodied Pro Bowler Nico Collins.”
Burden started out wide in 2022 for Mussouri, catching 45 passes for 375 yards and six receiving touchdowns. His production jumped tremendously when Missouri played him increasingly in the slot, tallying 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.
READ MORE: Luther Burden III NFL Draft Hub — Scouting Report, Player Profile, Projection, and More
While his caught-target percentage increased in 2024, he fell to 61 catches with 676 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
A sturdy slot receiver with an impressive combination of speed, power, and agility, Burden’s 2023 campaign showed that he’s more than capable of taking on a high workload and being an effective starter in the NFL.
He would give the Texans a slot receiver to complement Collins on the outside, and the combination of Collins, Burden, Dalton Schultz, and Joe Mixon would make this one of the best and most diverse skill-position groups in the entire NFL.
PFSN’s Mock Draft Projection
In PFSN’s latest mock draft by Justin Lewis, the Texans are predicted to pick Missouri’s Armand Membou. Here’s what Lewis had to say about the projection:
“All Armand Membou did in 2024 was face some of the best pass rushers in this class, only to best them in battle at right tackle. However, despite his accolades, Membou’s also receiving the tackle-to-guard treatment, but I’m putting my foot down on this one.
“Membou possesses more than enough length and mobility not only to survive but to thrive on the outside. He was on Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List,’ and what issues do arise on tape would be magnified, not mitigated, by a move inside (underwhelming core strength/anchor specifically versus sturdier rushers).”
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Meanwhile, Burden is predicted to be snapped early by the Denver Broncos as the 20th pick.
“Luther Burden III has a knack for making huge plays in important moments, usually on slot fades and while flashing only one hand out to finish the catch. The highs are incredibly high, but the lack of nuance as a route runner and the amount of volume he receives crossing the field or on screens compared to winning 1-on-1 matchups is alarming for his projection as a separator at the next level.
“Nevertheless, Burden’s natural fluidity, conspicuous explosiveness, and violent agility with the ball in his hands should realistically extend to his natural separation ability at the NFL level.”
