'He was at the top of our board' - Bears were fired up to land WR Luther Burden III on Day 2 and what he can bring to Ben Johnson's offense

"A player that obviously there's a lot of value there. He was at the top of our board," general manager Ryan Poles told reporters Friday night. "It was clear he was the most talented player on the board. We think he's an electric play-maker, highly competitive, and the run after the catch is special. Probably the best in this class."

The opportunity to land Burden was too good to pass up with the 39th overall pick and Burden himself mentioned he didn't spend much time with the team during the pre-draft process, but everything works out for a reason.

After not hearing his name called during the first-round on Friday, Burden immediately went to Missouri's facilities and continued working out instead of dwelling on his future. Even after being selected, he said he was headed to do the same thing again, showing the mindset this guy has after being passed over on Friday.

"I do think that chip grows on your shoulder and ignites a different type of work-ethic, a different type of mentality" Poles explained. "The key thing is capturing that and making sure it carries on."

As for his on-the-field fit, Burden mainly operated out of the slot in Missouri's offense being a guy you manufacture touches for and then watch him work. But, he's more than that given his ability to also stretch the field and operate on the outside.

"We see him as a guy that can play both, honestly," director of college scouting Breck Ackley said after the pick. "With what we're trying to build with Coach Johnson, it's multiple, everybody moving around, so you can't get a beat. It can open the offense up. So, he adds right into that. I think he has the route running and physicality to win outside, I think he has the separation ability and toughness to win inside."

Using the speed, elusiveness, and size, Burden constantly created hidden yards in his career. During his top performing season in 2023, Burden's 724 yards after catch ranked 3rd in the FBS ahead of future first-round selections such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Tetairoa McMillan, and plenty others.

One of the main knocks on Burden's game and translation to the NFL level is his limited route tree. Ahead of the draft, Missouri was asked by NFL teams to share practice footage of Burden's route running ability to get a more robust conclusion on his ability, and here's what ESPN's Matt Miller shared. 

Getting into Chicago and working with Ben Johnson is going to be big for Burden's growth, but in terms of the route-running improvements, that goes on the shoulders of wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El. Randle-El was fired up after this selection was made and is the perfect coach to have working with Burden.

"Nuance and set up. If you have a chance to see Antwaan Randle-El in the grass, he teaches guys to run routes," Ackley added.

Getting a guy like this is the perfect complement to what the Bears already have in the passing game on offense. Burden is the ideal slot-gadget Ben Johnson was searching for and being able to select him where they did is incredible value by itself.