Two separate Bears rookies were named to ESPN's All-Rookie team this year, and those who made the team certainly earned their spot. Wide receiver Luther Burden III stood tall, taking the top spot among rookie receivers, while Colston Loveland was named second team.
Being named to this team in general is a great starting point in a career for all positions. It brings validation to a first year of play that most rookies miss out on, even if they have a solid performance. While some may see it as a meaningless accolade, many others see it as a signal that the broader football world is conscious of their outstanding play.
Two Paths to Recognition
The Bears have had their fair share of injuries this season, and the receiver position was certainly not immune to their effects. In the midst of several receivers ruled out for various games, Burden III was expected to step into a more prominent role. While DJ Moore has remained the steady rock of the WR core, not missing any games this year, Caleb Williams' favorite receiver, Rome Odunze, has missed four games this season.
Burden has upheld his reputation at every opportunity, and Bears fans have been quick to recognize the young receiver. Burden III has posted two separate games with 100+ yards, and has caught almost 80% of passes thrown his way. Any receiver would accept an 80% completion rate in a single season, and they'd be ecstatic about it.
To put that into perspective, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks (the current top receiver in the NFL) has posted a season reception record of 72.9%. At almost 80%, Burden III has impressed not just his team, but it's clear and unmistakable he's made a splash among the well-known names of the NFL.
Colston Loveland, on the other hand, has proven to be an outlier when it comes to the tight end position. Loveland has thrived in the Ben Johnson system, combining his great strength and size with his excellent ability to catch and run the football. Johnson's play design frequently uses tight ends in motion to improve blocking, creating defensive uncertainty that Loveland has enjoyed.
Loveland was beat out for the top spot by Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr, a third-rounder out of Bowling Green. In the chaos that became the Cleveland offense this year, Fannin Jr was a reliable receiving target, posting 731 yards to date, a full 111 yards more than Loveland. But Fannin Jr has also been given over 30 more chances to catch the ball.
With additional usage, it's clear that Loveland has the edge. While Fannin Jr is doing exceedingly well, Loveland has been outstanding. If Loveland had been given as many targets as Fannin Jr, he'd almost certainly be ahead in the yards battle. Loveland already boasts over two yards per target, more than Fannin Jr. does.
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Recognition like this is less about arrival and more about confirmation. Burden III and Loveland earned their spots in different ways, one through volume and efficiency, the other through consistency and impact beyond the box score. If nothing else, their All-Rookie selections underline that the Bears rookie class is producing results, not just a promise. That matters far more than where either player finished on a list.