By Blessing 
Lions Encouraged to Add Explosive Talent to Support Jared Goff in 2025
The Detroit Lions are being pushed to make a move that could give quarterback Jared Goff a major boost heading into the 2025 NFL season. While the new season doesn’t officially kick off until September, there’s already plenty of buzz surrounding the Lions and their offseason strategy as they gear up for another strong run.
Big changes are underway in Detroit. While some familiar faces remain — including head coach Dan Campbell, general manager Brad Holmes, and offensive leaders Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown — the team is also experiencing a significant amount of turnover. A number of players and even some coaches are on their way out, signaling a fresh chapter for the Lions.
Amid all the shifts, one idea gaining traction is the potential addition of a dynamic offensive weapon to pair with Goff — a move that could strengthen the team’s depth and firepower for the upcoming season.
A New Weapon With “Five-Star Athleticism”
Even with talent like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams already on the roster, adding more depth at wide receiver is never a bad idea. Injuries are part of the game, and by the time mid-season rolls around, top-tier replacements aren’t always easy to find.
That’s why NFL analyst Chris Trapasso is urging the Lions to consider a promising prospect in the upcoming draft. In a March 19 mock draft published by CBS Sports, Trapasso projects that Detroit will use their No. 28 overall pick to select Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III.
“Don’t let Burden’s 2024 stats fool you – he’s a premier receiver prospect with upside galore,” Trapasso wrote.
Burden’s production in 2024 may not have turned heads at first glance — 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns — but his previous season was far more explosive. In 2023, he racked up 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, proving his big-play capability. Over his college career, he accumulated 2,263 receiving yards and 25 total touchdowns, showing consistent value as a playmaker.
A Natural Playmaker
According to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein, Burden is the type of player who can bring something special to the next level. In a scouting report, Zierlein praised the Missouri standout as a “five-star recruit who offers five-star athleticism and playmaking ability.”
Zierlein further described Burden as “a natural on the field with above-average speed and exciting ball skills to win at a high rate.”
Of course, like most prospects, Burden has areas to improve. Zierlein also noted that “he takes snaps off and short-circuits routes if he’s not the primary option.” Still, when Burden is fully engaged, he has the ability to make an impact at all three levels of the field.
Zierlein believes that an NFL team will be able to unlock more of Burden’s versatility and explosive potential: “NFL teams are much more likely to diversify his usage, activating his complete skill set and big-play potential. The production against top teams was uneven at times, but so was Missouri’s quarterback play. Burden checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career.”
The Lions’ Offense Could Get Even Better
If Detroit does move forward with drafting Burden, he could add another valuable dimension to an already impressive offense. The Lions experienced their fair share of injuries in 2024, so building extra depth at wide receiver could be a smart insurance policy — especially if the team has its sights set on another playoff run.
Burden’s explosiveness and versatility could offer Goff another reliable target, helping to keep defenses on their heels and opening up more options in the passing game.
Not Everyone’s Convinced
While there’s plenty of excitement surrounding Burden’s potential, not every analyst is completely sold on him as a first-round lock. Back in February, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. offered a more cautious take.
“He was the guy that people couldn’t handle. So, you expected this year for an improvement to basically happen and, all of a sudden, Luther Burden III is a top-ten pick in the NFL Draft. Didn’t happen. He was quiet in some of those games. Theo Wease Jr. was the guy they went to,” Kiper explained.
ESPN’s Field Yates echoed that sentiment, saying, “I’m getting the same vibe right now – maybe late first for Luther Burden III. Based off what he put on tape this year, and based off some of the questions that scouts have right now? He’s not a lock to go in the first round.”
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Detroit pulls the trigger on Burden, the idea of adding a high-upside receiver makes a lot of sense. Goff has shown he can lead this team, and giving him another elite weapon could make all the difference in 2025. With the draft fast approaching, all eyes will be on what the Lions choose to do next.