Ben Johnson lands another versatile play-maker as the run on offensive weapons continues for the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have made their first of three Day 2 selections and it's another pick with Ben Johnson written all over it. The Bears have selected wide receiver Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick in the second-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.Burden's best traits are his ability to dominate opposing defenses after […]
The Chicago Bears have made their first of three Day 2 selections and it's another pick with Ben Johnson written all over it. The Bears have selected wide receiver Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick in the second-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Burden's best traits are his ability to dominate opposing defenses after the catch and the fact he's an absolute demon with the ball in his hands.
Ben Johnson's insane offensive arsenal keeps stacking up
What a move this is for the Bears' offense and for quarterback Caleb Williams. Ben Johnson's offense is now stacked after selecting back to back play-makers who excel in different areas of the game.
Burden now becomes the latest weapon of mass destruction in Chicago joining DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, D'Andre Swift and yesterday's first-round pick Colston Loveland.
This offense is absolutely stacked and Ben Johnson is going to have a helluva time scheming up all these various talents on offense. One thing is for certain, Caleb Williams is going to have plenty of firepower to take an immediate leap in Year 2.
How does Luther Burden's skill set fit into the offense?
Many people had Luther Burden as a Top-32 talent in this year's draft and when he wasn't selected, he soon after posted a picture on social media working out. That's the kind of guy Burden is. And again many expected him to be one of the first picks off the board early in the second-round. Landing him at 39 is incredible value for Chicago.
Burden excels in space and getting manufactured touches, making him the ideal gadget player Ben Johnson was looking for similar to how Jayden Reed is deployed in Green Bay. Simply get the ball in his hands and let him cook.
He mainly did the bulk of his damage out of the slot where he can be motioned around the formation and a constant threat to receive handoffs as well. He's a shifty guy who's difficult to bring down and creates easy hidden yardage.
"That excites me. We're going to really emphasize the run after catch, the blocking after catch, of our passing game to gain some hidden yardage that way," Johnson said when asked what he's looking for at WR.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri Scouting Report
Age: 21 (03/27/2004)
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: No. 26 overall, Round 1
Scouting Report: "Luther Burden had an up-and-down career with the Missouri Tigers as far as production goes, but it was hardly his fault. Burden flashed as a true freshman catching 46 passes for about 400 yards and six touchdowns. It was clear he was immediately the best offensive weapon on the team, but the misses on his deep targets limited what could have been a special first year. Then as a sophomore Burden put it all together with over 1200 yards and nine touchdowns, looking like one of the best wide receivers in the country. Unfortunately, his final season was riddled with terrible quarterback play once again (as his QB tried to play through injury) and defenses honing in on stopping him and nothing else. He needs to refine his route running, but Burden's ability to make plays with the ball in his hands and to create opportunities for those around him should earn him early NFL Draft capital." – A to Z Sports' Travis May
Career Projection: Immediate Quality Starter
Final Word
Ben Johnson clearly is calling all the shots in this draft room and is making sure Caleb Williams has all the pieces he needs to succeed in 2025 and beyond.
Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III are incredible additions to the offense, not just in the passing game but being impact players in the run game as well.