\n Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) sprints past a Mississippi State defender with a first down pass reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo\/Rogelio V. Solis)
\n AP\n <\/p>\n
A day after giving new Bears head coach Ben Johnson a new offensive weapon in the first round, the Bears added another in the second round Friday.<\/p>\n
The Bears selected East St. Louis alumnus and Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III at No. 39.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited to be a part of the Chicago Bears,\u201d Burden told reporters Friday night.<\/p>\n
Burden showed off his athletic abilities in high school during his time with the Flyers. He made eye-popping catches to earn offers from some of the top college programs in the nation.<\/p>\n
After finding his role on Missouri as a freshman, Burden garnered national headlines with his play as a sophomore. Burden led the Tigers with 1,212 receiving yards, which ranked third in the SEC in 2023, and nine touchdowns on 86 receptions. He earned all-SEC first-team honors and finished as a second-team All-American.<\/p>\n
Opponents paid more attention to Burden last fall, usually putting extra coverage on the wideout. Because of that, Burden finished second on the Tigers\u2019 roster with 676 receiving yards but led the team with 6 touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Bears general manager Ryan Poles added another playmaker to his offense. Poles drafted Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick Thursday night.<\/p>\n
At 6 feet, 206 pounds, Burden had a big frame that went along with his speed. Burden will become another talented target for quarterback Caleb Williams. He\u2019ll join DJ Moore and Rome Odzune as the third option in the wide receivers room.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) reacts during the second half of an NCAA football game against Massachusetts on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Amherst, Mass. (AP Photo\/Greg M. Cooper)
\n AP\n <\/p>\n
Bears director of college scouting Breck Ackley said the Bears weren\u2019t concerned about Burden\u2019s dip in production last season or that he primarily played in the slot. Ackley said Burden can affect the games in different ways, both inside and out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think one of the unique things about him is that he can win a few ways with the ball in his hand,\u201d Burden said. \u201cHe can win with speed, he can win with physicality and he can win with elusiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burden also will get a chance to play with Williams. The duo were supposed to play together at Oklahoma, where he originally committed. Instead Williams followed coach Lincoln Riley to USC and Burden flipped to Missouri.<\/p>\n
Burden kept up with Williams through social media and was excited to finally connect with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m definitely a big fan of him,\u201d Burden said. \u201cI am excited to get to work with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bears originally had the No. 41 pick, too, but made a trade with the Bills. Chicago traded No. 41, 72 (third round) and 240 (seventh) to the Bills for 56 (second round), 62 (second round) and 109 (fourth round).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo\/L.G. Patterson)
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