Luther Burden III, a wide receiver out of Missouri who joined the Chicago Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft, is now being pointed to by an analyst as a potential fantasy steal, more importantly, with Ben Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, now calling plays for the Bears.
Johnson’s track record of turning slot receivers into fantasy gold has experts eyeing him as the next big thing. So, let’s break down why this rookie could be a game-changer for fantasy managers in 2025.
Luther Burden’s Slot Usage at Mizzou Hints at Huge Fantasy Upside Under Ben Johnson
Data from FantasyPtsData X post shows he lined up in the slot for about 85.3 percent of his snaps, a role allowing him to display his explosive playmaking ability. At Mizzou, Burden was a yards-after-catch (YAC) monster, often turning short routes into chunk plays with his quickness and clear vision.
His ability to force defenders into bad angles on drag routes drew big comparisons to Victor Cruz, a former New York Giants star who is one of the players who thrived on turning quick passes into big gains.
Now it enters Johnson, who has a knack for scheming up opportunities for slot receivers. Johnson spent years with the Detroit Lions, where his offense consistently produced fantasy studs. Amon-Ra St. Brown, who racked up 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns in the year 2023, often worked out of the slot.
Johnson’s system succeeds in getting the ball to playmakers in space, and Burden’s college tape suggests he’s the perfect fit. If Burden can step into a similar role in Chicago, fantasy managers might be looking at a late-round pick who delivers WR2 numbers, or even better.
Keenan Allen’s Role in Chicago Sets the Stage for Burden’s Breakout
One needs to look at Keenan Allen’s treatment in Chicago to understand why Burden could thrive. In 2024, Allen led all Bears wide receivers with a 52.6 percent slot rate, according to this X post.
The slot role in Ben Johnson’s offense has been fantasy gold.
Keenan Allen led all Bears WRs with a 52.6% slot rate (via @FantasyPtsData).
Luther Burden had an 85.3% slot rate at Mizzou. If he inherits the Allen role, he could be a steal in all formats.
Rome Odunze’s slot rate… https://t.co/74C8jz173w
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) May 10, 2025
Despite a down year by his standards, Allen still managed 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, even while dealing with a heel injury and adjusting to a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams.
As of March this year, Allen, now 32 and a free agent, saw his yards per reception drop to 10.6, a career low. The Bears might look to move on from the veteran, especially with a younger, faster option like Burden waiting in the wings.
KEEP READING: Luther Burden III Already Gunning for Offensive Rookie of the Year Honors With IG Reply
Johnson’s offenses have always prioritized speed and explosiveness in the slot. In Detroit, he turned Jameson Williams into a deep threat while maximizing St. Brown’s production underneath.
Allen’s role in Chicago last year showed that Johnson values a reliable slot receiver who can move the chains, but Burden brings an added dimension with his YAC ability. If the Bears let Allen walk, Burden could slide right into that role, potentially seeing 80-plus targets as a rookie, a number that would make him a fantasy darling.
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