The Chicago Bears used their first two selections in the NFL draft to add playmakers for quarterback Caleb Williams, and while tight end Colston Loveland was their top-10 target, wide receiver Luther Burden III might be the bigger value find at No. 39 overall in the second round.

New head coach Ben Johnson met with the media on Saturday, April 26, following the close of the draft. During the session, a reporter asked Johnson to share his thoughts on the former Missouri wide receiver.

Johnson was glowing in his review of Burden and mentioned a text he got from Detroit Lions big-play wideout Jameson Williams shortly after Chicago made its Day 2 selection.

“Luther? Stud. I mean, you saw his highlights, right? He’s just a play waiting to happen,” Johnson said. “He went to the same high school, I believe, as Jameson Williams. Jame-O texted me right after we picked him and said, ‘You got a dog, just like me.’ Luther has that same energy and swagger.

At 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds, it’s rare to see someone move like him. He can stop and go instantly. Give him a little space, and he can do major damage. … I see a big-time future for him.”

Johnson became Detroit’s offensive coordinator the same year the Lions drafted Williams, who shares a similar frame and style with Burden. If Burden can grow the way Williams has over his first three NFL seasons, Chicago landed tremendous value with their choice.

Williams caught 58 passes for 1,001 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns last year, thriving as a dynamic piece in one of the league’s best offenses.

Burden, 21, recorded 676 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 61 receptions over 12 games last year, building on a 2023 campaign where he posted 86 catches for 1,212 yards and 9 scores across 13 games, per Football Reference.

“The Bears are crushing this draft by giving Caleb Williams more skilled targets, and this selection is a major steal,” Matt Miller of ESPN wrote. “Burden was my No. 13 overall player, showing Stefon Diggs-like ability to generate yards after the catch. He’s a winning slot receiver who can move around the formation and could thrive outside once his route running sharpens.”

Burden has a strong chance to open as the WR3 and slot starter for the Bears as a rookie.

DJ Moore will stay the unquestioned No. 1 receiver, followed by second-year wideout Rome Odunze, who is expected to break out further in Year 2 after the departure of Keenan Allen during free agency.

At tight end, Loveland will team up with Cole Kmet, giving Chicago the flexibility to deploy 12 personnel with two strong pass-catching tight ends either lined up traditionally or spread wide.

The Bears’ offense was a major issue last season, but Johnson seems to be making real strides toward reshaping the unit in the Lions’ mold during his first offseason in Chicago. The team also added two starting guards via trade, signed a new center, and drafted two offensive tackles over the weekend to overhaul a struggling offensive line from the 2024 season.