Luther Burden

The Bears now have six playmakers that were top-50 draft picks, adding TE Colston Loveland at No. 10 overall and Burden at No. 39 to round out an offense that also includes WR DJ Moore, WR Rome Odunze, TE Cole Kmet and RB D'Andre Swift. Burden's first challenge will be to earn the No. 3 WR job this summer, likely competing against free-agent signing Olamide Zaccheaus. Burden is one of the younger players from his draft class, turning 22 in December, and had a prolific career at Missouri with 2,263 receiving yards, 234 rushing yards and 25 total TDs over three seasons. He was far more productive in 2023 than in 2024, but his draft stock rebounded some after a 4.41 40 at the combine, where he checked in at 6-foot, 206. Burden's dense frame and strong work after the catch have evoked comparisons to his new teammate, Moore, who signed a four-year extension last summer. Chicago isn't the best landing spot to get big-time volume right away, but it could work out well eventually if new coach Ben Johnson helps Caleb Williams recover from an ugly rookie season. Read Past Outlooks