The Chicago Bears have added to Ben Johnson’s offense by selecting Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III with the No. 39 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Burden was a three-year starter at Missouri, working primarily in the slot for the Tigers, and a two-time first-team All-SEC selection (in 2023 and 2024). In 12 games last season, he caught 61 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In Missouri’s early-season win over Boston College, Burden had a season-high 117 yards on six catches and a touchdown.
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As a sophomore in 2023, Burden had his most productive season as he topped 100 yards in six games, totaled 86 receptions for 1,212 yards, 14.1 yards per reception and nine touchdowns. That performance earned him a second-team All-American selection from the Associated Press, and he was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (given to the most outstanding receiver in college football). For his three-year college career, Burden tallied 192 receptions for 2,263 receiving yards and 26 total touchdowns — 21 of which were receiving TDs. He was the third-highest rated wideout — behind Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Texas’ Matthew Golden — on The Athletic draft expert Dane Brugler’s big board.
With the selections of Burden and offensive tackle Armand Membou, Missouri has a pair of first-round picks in the same draft for the first time in 14 years. The last time it happened was in 2011 when defensive lineman Aldon Smith (drafted No. 7 by the San Francisco 49ers) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (drafted No. 10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars) were taken in the top 10.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Burden ranked No. 27 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“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. Overall, 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. For an NFL team targeting a YAC weapon with upside to be more, he will be an appealing option early.”
4th quarter. 4th down. One hand. Touchdown.
Luther Burden III came up CLUTCH for @MizzouFootball on this play 😮💨
📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/VvJ1Zw8j6m— NFL (@NFL) April 4, 2025
Come back later for more analysis of Burden.
(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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