Which Missouri Tigers players could be selected in 2025 NFL Draft — and when?
The countdown is on in Green Bay, and the 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner — tonight, in fact.
For Eli Drinkwitz’s Tigers, there’s a group of players anxiously waiting to see if their name gets called over the next few days.
Four Mizzou players received invites to the NFL Combine earlier this spring. The Tigers could also have two first-round selections.
As the NFL Draft nears, here’s where The Star sees five Tigers prospects landing...
OT Armand Membou
The Tigers are largely expected to have a first-round selection for the second year in a row. But this time, he seems to be a consensus top-10 pick.
Most outlets have Armand Membou going at No. 6 or No. 7 overall, which would make him the highest-drafted Mizzou prospect since Aldon Smith went seventh overall in 2011.
Membou impressed at the Combine this year, and his stock has been on the rise.
NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein writes: “Young, talented prospect whose lack of NFL-tackle size will test teams’ willingness to make exceptions to their standards. … He’s still growing into his frame but his game boasts unusual maturity. Membou’s potential impact at a premium position should keep him at tackle, but he has outstanding potential regardless.”
Our pick: New York Jets; Round 1, No. 7 overall.
WR Luther Burden III
Burden’s fate, on the other hand, is a bit more up in the air.
ESPN has Burden going as high as No. 20 overall, but others have him falling just a bit below that, teetering on if he’ll be a Day 1 or Day 2 selection.
Burden scored an 85 at the combine this year, with Zierlein writing:
“Burden is a natural on the field with above-average speed and exciting ball skills to win at a high rate. … 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.”
Where will he go?
In Los Angeles, the Rams already have a talented receiving core, but there’s a vacancy left by Cooper Kupp this offseason. Burden might be the right guy to fill it. And if that’s the case, the Tigers could very well have two first-round selections for the first time since Smith and Blaine Gabbert in 2011.
Our pick: Los Angeles Rams; Round 1, No. 26 overall.
QB Brady Cook
Most outlets have this longtime Tiger falling to the last day of the draft. Others have him marked as an undrafted free agent.
In his analysis, Zierlein notes that Brady Cook’s athleticism and physical traits could label him as a “developmental prospect,” but there are still some concerns with consistency and accuracy.
A team should take a shot at Cook this year for a backup role, and a good fit could come behind QB Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers. Cook could join a talented QB room while battling Taylor Heinicke for the backup role.
Our pick: Los Angeles Chargers; Round 7, No. 256 overall.
WR Theo Wease Jr.
Wease was still nursing a hand injury he sustained in the Music City Bowl in December, and it showed in his pre-draft process. He earned a 64 score at the Combine, with Zierlein writing:
“He’s not an explosive leaper but his ball-tracking and high-point timing stand out on tape. His routes aren’t good enough to shake tight man coverage underneath and his small hands will make contested-catch wins more difficult to come by against pro corners. Wease is steady and productive, but he might not be dynamic enough to ascend beyond an average backup.”
As an older prospect with injury issues, he projects as a Day 3 selection. But he can’t be entirely brushed aside after a season with 60 receptions for 884 yards.
So a fit? The Detroit Lions have two of their top-four wide receivers on either a one-year deal or in the last year of a contract, with Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond. Wease would be a solid pickup while looking ahead.
Our pick: Detroit Lions; Round 7, No. 244 overall
DE Johnny Walker Jr.
Without an invite to the combine, Walker is projected to go as an undrafted free agent. But he has the potential to be one of the more slept-on prospects of this draft, and it could earn him a late-round flier.
The longtime edge led the Tigers in sacks last season and had a spot on the 2024 All-SEC second team. If he does go undrafted, he should be a highly sought after free agent in the moments to follow.
Our pick: Undrafted free agent.
