With the No. 39 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III. Burden follows first-round pick, tight end Colston Loveland, in the Bears’ efforts to further bolster their offensive weaponry around quarterback Caleb Williams.
Measuring in at 6-foot and 200 pounds, Burden recorded 61 receptions, 676 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 2024. He posted an 86-1,212-9 line in 2023.
Burden spoke with Bears media about his draft experience and more.
Bears WR Luther Burden Gets Honest About Draft Wait
Burden was visibly overtaken with emotion following the call, and was reserved during his initial contact with the Bears beat. Asked for his thoughts on being passed over in the first round, a surprise to many, Burden answered in kind.
“I was unaware, I guess,” Burden told Clocker Sports on Friday. “But I’m super excited to be a part of the Chicago Bears.”
Burden may have been unaware in the moment, but he was certainly active on social media.
He posted “Ok Kool” on X following the conclusion of the draft’s first round on Wednesday, and he also posted an image of himself preparing to hit the practice field on Instagram. The most telling message of all, though, was Burden’s post about being doubted.
“I been da underdog my whole life,” Burden said in his final post on the matter before being drafted on X on April 24. “dats how I like it….”
He did say getting on the field is an escape and helped occupy his mind while he waited.
In selecting Burden, the Bears finalized the 2023 trade that sent the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers, which they used on quarterback Bryce Young. The Bears ended up with Burden, Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, DJ Moore, Tory Taylor, and Tyrique Stevenson.
What the Draft Experts Say
“Burden is an ideal ‘five-tool,’ multi-sport athlete for the receiver position in the NFL,” Pro Football Focus wrote. “The first-round talent is as well-rounded as they come, displaying the ability to succeed at any receiver spot in any offense.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Burden as his WR3. He was his No. 27 overall prospect coming into the draft.
“With his run-after-catch skills, Burden saw a high volume of quick-hitters and crossers, which showcased his any-direction burst and physicality to give defenders the shake. His route running is best described as a “work in progress” right now, but he appears unfazed when forced to flip his body and track/adjust to errant throws,” Brugler wrote on April 9.
“Burden is still working on his undergrad degree in route setup and separation, but he holds a master’s in creating with the ball in his hands, because of his explosive speed and competitive toughness.”
Burden has been compared favorably to Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson, notably, had St. Brown when the former was the team’s offensive coordinator. The Bears added what many have openly referred to as their version of Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, in Loveland. The latter is bigger, though.
Burden got another fitting comparison that rings close to home for the Bears as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Moore, per an anonymous scout and Fox Sports’ Jordan Schutlz in remarks shared on April 25.
Burden has also been compared to the likes of New England Patriots free agent pickup Stefon Diggs. As for players he tries to emulate, Burden told Clocker Sports, “Pretty much all the top guys. Anyone you can think of.”