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The Chicago Bears added a big-time playmaker at wide receiver when they selected Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Burden joins a receiver room led by veteran DJ Moore and second-year pro Rome Odunze, a first-round pick last year.
Adding Burden came as a surprise with many draft analysts believing that Chicago was focusing on either adding on an offensive or defensive lineman or, more importantly, a running back from a very loaded class. When speaking to the media after the draft was over on Saturday afternoon, general manager Ryan Poles explained why the Bears just couldn't pass on Burden in the second round.
"There was a lot of value there," Poles said. "He was at the top of our board. Really did a good job following the board, kind of letting it talk to us. It was clear he was the most talented player on the board. He's an electric player, playmaker, highly competitive, and the run-after-the-catch is special, probably the best in this class. When you add that to the group that we have, things get pretty exciting."
After overhauling the offensive and defensive trenches in free agency, Chicago had flexibility when it came to drafting the best available players rather than for need. The Burden selection is an example of that, but it also provides a glimpse of what we should expect from a Ben Johnson offense.
In three seasons for the Missouri Tigers, Burden totaled 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding 234 rushing yards and four rushing scores. He'll become a versatile weapon in the passing and rushing game for Johnson, who will have plenty of different ways to maximize the offensive talent for the Bears this upcoming season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears GM Ryan Poles explains why they couldn't pass on Luther Burden
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Adding Burden came as a surprise with many draft analysts believing that Chicago was focusing on either adding on an offensive or defensive lineman or, more importantly, a running back from a very loaded class. When speaking to the media after the draft was over on Saturday afternoon, general manager Ryan Poles explained why the Bears just couldn't pass on Burden in the second round.
"There was a lot of value there," Poles said. "He was at the top of our board. Really did a good job following the board, kind of letting it talk to us. It was clear he was the most talented player on the board. He's an electric player, playmaker, highly competitive, and the run-after-the-catch is special, probably the best in this class. When you add that to the group that we have, things get pretty exciting."
After overhauling the offensive and defensive trenches in free agency, Chicago had flexibility when it came to drafting the best available players rather than for need. The Burden selection is an example of that, but it also provides a glimpse of what we should expect from a Ben Johnson offense.
In three seasons for the Missouri Tigers, Burden totaled 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding 234 rushing yards and four rushing scores. He'll become a versatile weapon in the passing and rushing game for Johnson, who will have plenty of different ways to maximize the offensive talent for the Bears this upcoming season.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears GM Ryan Poles explains why they couldn't pass on Luther Burden
Continue reading...
