Yes, halves and props develop later than outside backs or second rowers. The other thing that should be considered is that Burton is immature as a person. I think CC gave him the captaincy last year in an attempt to force him to grow up, but it didn't really work. What I have seen this year is that maybe he is starting to mature as a person.
I am a Burton fan, and not because of what he does in games but because of his potential as a player, when we are the team we will be. We would never have won the comp last year or even this year, it is the future we are investing in.
Some people have a problem with Burton and believe he doesn't have the skills, potential or capability to be more than the player he was last year. They don't see his improvement this year because that would include admitting they were wrong.
I hope Burton continues to develop, improves his consistency, and finds his voice on the field. Whether that results in those people finally admitting they are wrong, who cares, because its about the results on the field.
Oh and I have seen some admit they were wrong, or start to acknowledge they may have been. This is about those that still refuse to believe that he has improved from last year. Oh and I am not saying that he is the finished product, far from it. But I hope that he will continue to develop as the year goes on.