GREEN BAY, Wis.—After Armand Membou went seventh overall to the New York Jets during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, teammate Luther Burden III had to wait nearly 24 hours before his name was called.

Burden, the star wideout for Mizzou, will be catching passes in Chicago next year for the Bears. Chicago used the 39th pick during the second round to select the electric receiver. Burden played his high school days in the St. Louis area.

Caleb Williams, the 2024 first overall pick, will be slinging passes to Burden, who will join a star-studded receiver corps including All-Pro DJ Moore and 2024 first rounder Rome Odunze.

Burden was first team All-SEC in 2023 with over 1,200 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. Lance Zierlein compared him to New York Jets top receiver Garrett Wilson.

“Burden checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career,” stated Zierlein.

Burden is a short route expert with over three-quarters of his career catches beginning within 10 yards. His ability with the ball in his hand led to dynamic results and numerous jaw-dropping highlights.