Ryan Poles knew what needed to happen going into the 2025 NFL draft. With urging from head coach Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears GM placed a heavy emphasis on improving the offensive side of the football. That meant weapons and blocking. There was no preference for position. Just find the best players possible, and Johnson would handle the rest. The first pick was a slight surprise as Chicago took Michigan tight end Colston Loveland 10th overall. It was shocking for two reasons. The Bears already had a tight end (Cole Kmet), and many felt Penn State's Tyler Warren was the better option.
Next was almost an even bigger surprise. Despite hoping to get Ohio State running back Treyveon Henderson, the Bears opted to take Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden. Again, this was despite already having two quality receivers in D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. Experts thought the Bears were crazy by not focusing on greater positions of need. Poles was lambasted at the start of the season when both rookies were quiet. Pro Football Focus just released its rankings of the top 15 rookies so far this year.
Seems the Bears' GM deserves some apologies.
6. WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (77.0)
The Missouri product has now caught 16 of 18 passes for 222 yards this season. He ranks fifth on the team in average depth of target (7.8), yet he is the only Bears receiver averaging more than two yards per route run (2.71). Burden also leads Chicago's receiving group in PFF receiving grade (77.5) and passer rating when targeted (136.6, minimum of 15 targets).
13. TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (74.8)
The 10th overall pick has now caught 21 of 29 passes for 289 yards and 13 first downs. He ranks in the top 10 among tight ends in catches of 20-plus yards (five) and sports a strong 75.3 PFF receiving grade. Loveland does have the sixth-worst PFF pass-blocking grade at the position (42.2), but he ranks in the top 15 as a run blocker (68.8).
Ryan Poles found two dynamic playmakers for the Bears.
Think about this. Loveland and Burden are 5th and 7th in targets among Bears offensive players this season. However, they rank 3rd and 5th in receiving yards, respectively. That means both are making a greater impact than their usage would suggest. Think of it this way. If Loveland were on track for 100 targets this season, he would end up with 996 yards. Burden would have 1,233. It begs the question of why Olamide Zacchaeus and D.J. Moore continue to get more targets, considering they aren't doing as much with them.
That is for Johnson and the coaches to answer. What we know for sure is that both Loveland and Burden can play. They've proven it multiple times this season. It is only a matter of time before they become focal points of the entire offense. Like it or not, Poles was an integral part of making sure they ended up in a Bears uniform. Credit must be given where it is due.
