Introduction
Luther Burden III is emerging as one of the NFL’s most intriguing young wideouts. Drafted 39th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2025, he’s already generating fantasy buzz—and NFL intrigue. In this article, we’ll explore whether he’s playing today, his draft profile, 40-yard dash time, and how he impacts fantasy football.
1. Is Luther Burden Playing Today?
As of September 10, 2025, Burden is active and on the Chicago Bears roster. He played in Week 1’s Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, though his involvement was limited: one target, a -3 yard reception, and a 44-yard kickoff return.
For Week 2, FantasyPros projects him as WR #67 with just 2.1 fantasy points expected. The low projection underscores that he is technically playing, but not yet a fantasy-worthy option. So, yes—he’s active, but not a must-start.
2. Draft Profile & Pick
Burden declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on December 2, 2024, skipping Missouri’s bowl game to focus on preparation ReutersFOX Sports.
In April 2025, Chicago selected him with the 38th overall pick in Round 2—the highest a Missouri receiver had gone since Jeremy Maclin in 2009. His selection reflects the Bears’ belief in his high ceiling despite some collegiate inconsistencies.
3. 40-Yard Dash & Combine Metrics
At the 2025 NFL Combine, Burden clocked a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, placing him in the 95th percentile, while his 10-yard split of 1.54 sec was around the 90th percentile. He measured 6’0″, 206 lb
This combination of size, speed, and explosiveness underscores his elite playmaking ability—especially in yards-after-catch (YAC) scenarios. One scouting report called him “a luxury machine”—a high-upside weapon if used properly.
4. Fantasy Outlook
Week 1 Performance
In his NFL debut, Burden’s usage was minimal: just 18 offensive snaps out of Chicago’s 67, behind Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Olamide Zaccheaus. His single target resulted in a –3-yard reception, though he did flash with a 44-yard kickoff return.
Fantasy outlets labeled the debut underwhelming. FantasyPros slapped him with a WR #67 ranking and only 2.1 projected points for Week 2. CBS Sports echoed: he may eventually earn a three-receiver set role, but not yet.
Long-Term Fantasy Potential
At Missouri, Burden showed exceptional YAC ability: 7.26 YAC per catch and 64 missed tackles avoided—elite metrics. However, he was seldom a deep threat. His average depth of target (aDOT) was low, and his college role was more short/intermediate, slot-heavy usage.
Scouts project him as a slot and short-field weapon, not a vertical WR1—unless surrounded by game breakers. The Bears do feature other strong WRs—DJ Moore and Rome Odunze—so Burden is currently buried on the depth chart—but that may change as the season progresses.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Active Status | Yes—playing Week 1, limited usage; Week 2 projection very low |
| Draft Status | 39th overall pick (2nd Round, 2025 Draft) |
| Combine Metrics | 40-yd dash: 4.41 sec (95th percentile); 10-yd split: 1.54 sec (90th pct) |
| Role & Skillset | Slot receiver, elite YAC, good hands, needs creative usage |
| Fantasy Outlook | Not a viable starter yet—worth a late-season flier if usage increases |
Looking Forward
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Monitor usage: If Burden starts seeing more snaps—especially in three-WR sets—his fantasy upside will rise.
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Scheme fit: With Ben Johnson as head coach, the Bears could highlight Burden’s YAC volume in creative packages.
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Quarterback continuity: Caleb Williams’ development and chemistry with his rookie target may influence Burden’s trajectory; their rapport is already generating buzz.
Conclusion
Is Luther Burden playing today? Yes—but in a limited capacity.
Draft pick? Yes—Round 2, pick 39 by the Chicago Bears in 2025.
40-yard dash time? 4.41 sec—exceptional speed.
Fantasy outlook? Not impactful yet—but a high-upside target as the season evolves.
