The Chicago Bears selected University of Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Although he has yet to play a snap in the league, it’s time for an early evaluation—just like every other pick the Bears make this year. This is a way-too-early draft grade, and I’ll keep it simple: here’s what I like (and don’t like) about the pick and the player. Let’s dive in.
What I Like About the Bears Drafting Luther Burden III
Luther Burden is a weapon. His run-after-catch ability is dangerous—especially with Ben Johnson orchestrating the offense. This feels like a best-player-available pick, and honestly, I love it. Beyond his elite playmaking skills, Burden is outstanding at tracking the ball in the air. On top of that, he didn’t miss a single game due to injury during his three years at Missouri. He’s talented, durable, and a perfect addition for Caleb Williams. Simply put, Missouri’s Luther Burden is a diabolical pick. The Bears offense just got even more loaded.
What I Don’t Like About the Bears Drafting Luther Burden III
Let’s be real: this is a luxury pick for Chicago. They could’ve addressed edge rusher, defensive tackle, running back, offensive tackle, or even safety. Instead, they stuck to the best-player-available—which I don’t mind. Still, there’s a small concern: are there too many mouths to feed on this offense?
Here’s a look at the Bears top pass-catchers:
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WR DJ Moore
WR Rome Odunze
WR Luther Burden III
TE Colston Loveland
TE Cole Kmet
That’s a lot of firepower. However, with Ben Johnson running the show, I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt.
Final (Way-Too-Early) Draft Grade
The Bears added a weapon that Ben Johnson clearly had his eye on. Luther Burden has the talent to make an immediate impact and help speed up Caleb Williams development. As Caleb’s arsenal grows, the Bears offense becomes even more dangerous.
Grade: A
