The Chicago Bears appeared to have a clear plan of action going into the 2nd round. They needed help at running back and the defensive line. That would likely be their focus with both picks. So, naturally, it was a massive shock when they grabbed Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick. No one thought they would take a wide receiver after selecting Rome Odunze the year before and signing Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency. GM Ryan Poles explained the decision afterward. It was a simple case of Burden rating way higher on their board than anybody else.
If you listen to former NFL players, you start to realize that was the right decision. Start with former quarterback Robert Griffin III. He stated that the Bears got themselves a top-15 prospect in the entire draft with Burden. He will be an incredible weapon and a perfect fit in Ben Johnson’s offense.
Another huge fan is Cris Collinsworth. A former wide receiver himself, he believes Burden is the best in the entire draft at his position. That includes Tet McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Matthew Golden, who went in the 1st round. Chicago basically just got a faster Deebo Samuel in his mind.
Luther Burden has so much potential.
People dog him for his regression in 2024, going from over 1200 receiving yards the year before to under 700. Problems at quarterback and offensive scheme questions didn’t help. There were also questions about his subdued interview process, where he supposedly came off as soft-spoken. That didn’t seem to perturb Bears wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, who was all jacked up when the team drafted Luther Burden. When this young man is clicking, he is almost impossible to stop, before or after the catch. Putting him on the field with D.J. Moore and Odunze means a constant stream of single coverage. If he accepts the work ahead of him, this may become the best pick of the Poles era.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
