Rookie Riser: Luther Burden III; Overhyped or the Next Elite Wide Receiver?

Everyone was shocked by the selection of Clostan Loveland in the first round of the 2025 rookie entry draft. What was more surprising was how far Luther Burden fell after being scouted as a first-round pick before the 2025 NFL Draft.

He had 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns in his sophomore season with the Missouri Tigers. There was hope that he would have a similar season, if not better, in his final season with the Tigers. That didn’t go as planned for Burden.

He only had 676 yards, almost 600 yards less than the year prior, and six touchdowns. Granted, he had fewer targets, but the lack of production had him fall out of the first round and land in the second round, and 39th overall pick for the Chicago Bears. With the loss of Keenan Allen, Burden should be able to slot into that WR3-WR4 role in Chicago.

Through two preseason games, Burden has impressed. In the preseason Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, he had 49 yards, but what shone was his run block ability. While Ben Johnson had some honest and open criticisms of Burden during camp, he reversed his public opinion and, during a press conference said, “Stud, you saw the highlights right?” 

It’s way too early to call him a franchise receiver, let alone elite. Calling him elite this early is high praise, and he hasn’t even played a regular-season game yet. However, you can’t deny his skill from his college tape, even if he had a down year in his junior year. There is a ton of potential with his playmaking skillset and ability to put up high percentage yards. 

My player comparison would be Deebo Samuel, who can do everything: run block, participate in run plays, and be moved around in the receiving game. I have high hopes that Burden can learn and grow in this already stacked receiver room. He will grow into an elite wide receiver for the Bears team that desperately needs one.