The Chicago Bears doubled down on skill-position depth with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III on Friday night.

The Bears gave quarterback Caleb Williams a new weapon Thursday by selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10, and they followed it up with Burden.

The pick also closed the book on the 2023 trade in which the Bears acquired two first-round picks, two second-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore from the Panthers in exchange for the No. 1 choice in that year’s draft. Carolina picked quarterback Bryce Young, who mostly has struggled to this point in his NFL career.

Back to Friday, though: The Bears originally were scheduled to pick at No. 41, too, but they traded that selection, along with others, to acquire two more second-round and one fourth-round choice.

Here’s all you need to know about Burden, the Bears’ first second-round pick of the day:

Luther Burden III

Position: Wide receiver

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 206 pounds

School: Missouri

College stats: 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns, and 34 carries for 234 yards and four TDs, in 38 games over three seasons

Honors: Two-time first-team All-SEC (2023, 2024)

NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah’s analysis: “Burden is a quick, athletic slot receiver. He received a lot of quick hitters in Missouri’s offense. He excels on underneath option routes that allow him to combine his feel to create space and his suddenness to generate yards after the catch. He has outstanding body control, giving him the ability to contort and haul in poorly thrown balls. He is at his best with the ball in his hands. He can stop/start in a hurry and possesses the agility to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He has more to offer once he gets to the next level. When given the opportunity to work down the field, he can tap into another gear and track the ball smoothly. Overall, Burden is a fun player to study and reminds me of Stefon Diggs coming out of college.”

Bair’s breakdown

Luther Burden is a burner who primarily worked in the slot at Missouri, but the Bears believe he can play inside and out. He was a productive as heck college player, with 192 catches for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns, and his biggest year came in 2023, when he had 1,212 yards and nine TDs.

Bears director of college scouting Breck Ackley explained why he was so attractive to the team in the second round.

“You’re looking for guys that can win before they get the ball in the route, when they get the ball in their hand,” Ackley said. “I think that’s where he really excels. It’s not hard to see when you watch the ball-in-hand ability.

“One of the unique things about him is he can win a few ways with the ball in his hand. He can win with speed, he can win with physicality and he can win with elusiveness. Another guy that can separate in routes and produce after the catch with the ball in his hands. Adds another weapon to the room.” 

Burden will add another dynamic playmaker on a rookie contract to the Bears, after they spent significant funds on veteran offensive linemen last month. It’s fair to wonder if the pick could have been used on an area of more pressing need, considering Chicago’s receiver depth and some weakness at edge rusher, linebacker and maybe safety.

Ackley addressed that point, too, shedding some light on the Bears’ strategy on offense.

“The creativity on offense that this is going to allow — this is one of those things, when you add a guy with his skill set, you find a way (to get him involved),” Ackley said. “He competes, and he opens things up for everybody else. Now defenses have to worry about more.

“There’s one player getting the ball at all times … but the more playmakers you have on the field, the more they have to worry about.”