LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The Bears selected Missouri receiver Luther Burden III, Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday evening.
The 39th overall pick, the 21-year-old Burden earned all-SEC honors twice at Missouri, where he had 192 receptions and 21 touchdowns over three seasons. Luther had a huge 2023 season, when he had 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. He had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games in 2024.
Burden was a standout at East St. Louis High School and joins a Bears wide receiver room that’s led by DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The Bears believe that he can play either outside or in the slot within their offense.
"One of the unique things about him is he can win a few ways with the ball in his hand," Bears director of college scouting Breck Ackley said. "He can win with speed, he can win with physicality and he can win with elusiveness. Another guy that can separate in routes and produce after the catch with the ball in his hands. Adds another weapon to the room."
The Bears also entered Friday with the No. 41 overall pick in the second round but instead dealt it to the Bills in a six-pick trade. The Bears traded No. 41, No. 72 (third round) and No. 240 (seventh round) to the Bills for No. 56 (second round), No. 62 (second round) and No. 109 (fourth round).
The Bears then used the 56th overall pick on the 23-year-old Trapilo, who was an All-ACC selection at Boston College last season. He was a three-year starter for the Eagles.
Trapilo adds competition for the Bears' offensive line at left tackle, a position that's in flux with incumbent starter Braxton Jones returning from an offseason ankle procedure.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles selected from his alma mater Boston College in bringing in Trapilo.
The Bears selected the 22-year-old Turner at No. 62 overall. He had 10 sacks in four seasons with the Aggies, including six sacks in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Turner was Chicago’s first addition on the defensive side of the ball in this draft.
Turner projects to compete for a key role on the Bears' defensive line. Chicago signed veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in March, adding him to a group on the interior defensive line that's led by Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Bears acquired the 39th overall pick from the Panthers as part of their return in the blockbuster trade of the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 to Carolina. Chicago used the other draft capital in that trade to select quarterback Caleb Williams, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and punter Tory Taylor. They also acquired Moore in the deal.
The Bears selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round Thursday evening.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.