The Chicago Bears added a big-time playmaker at wide receiver when they selected Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Burden joins a receiver room led by veteran DJ Moore and second-year pro Rome Odunze, a first-round pick last year.

The Chicago Bears selected Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III No. 39 overall in the NFL Draft. Burden thought he should have been selected in Round 1 and had an edge to him during his Zoom call.

Falling to the second round initially threw Luther Burden III for a loss but the Missouri receiver took a more positive view Saturday toward the task ahead.

In 2023, the Lions drafted tight end Sam LaPorta and he immediately became one of the NFL's most productive tight ends in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's offense. Now Johnson is head coach of the Bears, and he thinks he just found a tight end who is a lot like LaPorta, on the field and off.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson understands the comparisons between new Chicago tight end Colston Loveland, the No. 10 overall pick in this NFL Draft on Thursday, and Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta.