In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears welcomed eight new rookies to the roster, including a pair of nervous Colston Loveland and broad receiver Luther Burden III, with their first two choices.
Chicago also made a second round choice with offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner. The Bears also found some potential guard gems, defender Ruben Hebert II, cornerback Zah Frazier, defender Luke Newman and Day 3 running back Kyle Monangai.
Over the next few days, our Bears Wire Staff will share their thoughts on the 2025 rookie course. Next: Our best draft pick, Chicago certainly has value in the second round.
Luther Burden was clearly the best player when the Bears picked at 39, and Ohio State all backed off the board, a smart move for Chicago, as Ben Johnson's vision for the offense became very clear. Johnson discusses the importance of slot receivers in his offense, which is exactly the role that burdens will fill the bear's offense as a YAC machine (although Johnson should be able to move him). Honestly, the burden should be the first round draft pick. Instead, the NFL dropped him into the second round, right into Johnson's waiting arm, and Johnson might find his Jameson Williams heavy burden.
A year ago, Luther Burden was considered a top ten and could easily be the best receiver in the 2025 grade. However, he fell in the draft due to a Mizzou QB position injury, which wasn't as productive as last season. The Bears benefited a lot when they ranked 39th in general, one of the most talented offensive players. In a vacuum, a draft pick is a great choice. The burden can do it all, from breaking tackles on the fast route to taking the defender's double moves deep. His appearance does raise some questions with the receiver already in the team (i.e., DJ Moore, a player with similar skills). 2026 may be an interesting year, but having these two go with Rome Odunze should be a talented person to exude athleticism.
This draft pick may admit that using a third-round pick on Kiran Amegadije will admit a degree of error or regret, but it also brings incredible value and competition. Select Trapilo for Ben Johnson and Dan Roushar to choose. Are they thinking about moving Darnell Wright to the left tackle? Will Trapilo play the right tackle in this case? Will Trapilo fight Braxton Jones to left tackle? So many last spots to figure out the last spot on the rebuilding offensive line, Trapilo gives the Bears the choice and competition. It's hard to beat it. Especially due to his left and right tackle game, his experience can go a long way.
Does the bear need another wide receiver? Of course, that's not the biggest need they need to use with Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. This did not make Luther Burden III a great player. Two things may be true. If Ben Johnson considers himself a key part of the offense, he has the right to choose him. If you can ignore position needs in your organization, you will find that the burden is an outstanding receiver and can easily become a first-round draft pick. If the second round choice becomes a star in Johnson's offense, it's hard to call him apart from a great value choice.
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