Commanders land elite wide receiver prospect in 2025 NFL mock draft

The Washington Commanders have their sights firmly set on the 2024 season and what improvements can arise under new head coach Dan Quinn. However, some within the organization are looking much further ahead.

Scouts, executives, and other front-office personnel are already working on the 2025 NFL Draft. That's a long time away, but it won't stop staff from devising shortlists, producing initial reports, and everything in between with hundreds of hopefuls who could potentially help the Commanders on their path to contention.

Stocks will rise and fall during the upcoming college football campaign. The Commanders' needs might be a lot different by the time prominent assessment events such as the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine come around. There are plenty of moving parts, but that doesn't stop analysts from speculating which prospects could go where when the all-important selection process arrives.

Commanders select Luther Burden III in 2025 mock draft

Ian Cummings from Pro Football Network had the Commanders picking at No. 5 overall in his latest mock draft. While that would indicate some slight improvement under Quinn and his accomplished staff, it's nowhere near the level some fans anticipate. But again, this is all speculative without a competitive down being played as yet.

Cummings had the Commanders taking Luther Burden III. The analyst believes pairing the gifted wide receiver with Terry McLaurin could be the springboard quarterback Jayden Daniels needs to take his game to new heights.

"Close your eyes and imagine a Commanders offense with Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and Luther Burden III. Burden almost resembles Chris Chambers with his unique frame and game-breaking explosion, but he has the upside to be an even better pro receiver."

- Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network

The Commanders could have a desperate need for another wide receiver in 2025. Only McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey seem like long-term options right now. There remains hope Jahan Dotson can live up to his first-round billing under the new regime. But it's a make-or-break campaign for the wideout in no uncertain terms.

Burden would change that in an instant. The Missouri star burst into the scene in 2023 en route to 86 receptions for 1,212 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He's an elite separator at the top of his routes and boasts exceptional athleticism in contested catch situations. This is matched by aggressive yards after the catch prowess that makes him almost unstoppable in open space.

If Burden takes another step forward next season, he'll be one of the 2025 draft's hottest commodities. He's got all the makings of a genuine difference-maker in the pros. The body control is already NFL-ready. Once he becomes more adaptable against press coverage, the wideout will be the total package well worthy of a top-five selection.

Adam Peters has just six draft selections at his disposal next spring, so far at least. Maximizing these resources will be crucial. That might lead the Commanders away from a prospect like Burden, but the benefits of bringing him into the fold are obvious.

Nobody knows which way the Commanders are going to go. But it's fun to think about nonetheless.