The Chicago Bears Steal of the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft has ended, and the Chicago Bears were very active in trying to improve the team overall. They traded picks and surprised us as they attempted to right the ship and put themselves in a position to be better.

In total, Chicago had eight draft picks by the time it was all said and done. They moved around the board trying to get the guys that they wanted to get. Some say they did well, while others feel they struggled.

When you look at all the picks that the Bears had in this draft, there is one that stands out above all the others. This player is sneaky good and should have been taken higher than he was. We’ll explain why he might have slipped, but the Bears may have gotten a real steal with this player.

The Player

The player that the Bears stole in this draft came to them in the second round, at number 39. That player is Missouri Tigers’ wide receiver, Luther Burden III.

If you look at draft scouting profiles, mock drafts, and other draft-related material for the 2025 NFL Draft, you will see that Burden III was likely a first-round selection. As far as skill goes, Burden III is one of the most talented wide receivers in the draft. He’s got the skill to be a great one. Burden can create after the catch and does a lot of things well.

However, in the recent past, Burden III has been accused of having some issues with work ethic. This will be a huge problem if he cannot correct this behavior. Knowing this about him, it’s easy to see why the Bears may have rolled the dice and gambled with their selection of him.

But, if he can overcome that and some injury issues that have plagued him in the past, it’s possible that Burden III could be not only the steal of the draft for the Bears but also the steal of the entire 2025 draft. His physical traits are amazing as he has great speed (he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine), great acceleration, and has the knack for being a playmaker.

Burden III must get a little bit stronger and work on finishing his routes as he rounds them instead of ending them sharply.

Ryan Poles is Tied to Burden III

There is a lot to love about Burden III, that’s for sure. If the Bears get one hundred percent effort out of him, they will have a dangerous offense. If they don’t get full effort and he is a bust, there will be calls for Ryan Poles’ job. The Bears must hit on this pick. They need it for the team, for Caleb Williams, and for their ability to win more games.

But don’t think that Burden III was the only steal for the Bears. There are a couple of other players who, although they may not look like it, with a little luck, could make it big with the Bears. These two players include defensive tackle Shemar Turner and running back Kyle Monangai. Look for them to make some kind of positive impact with the Bears in the future.

They just might be two more steals that the Bears got in this year’s draft, along with Burden III.