With the 2025 NFL Draft officially in the books, it's now appropriate to evaluate what teams across the league did and determine where the Detroit Lions stack up. They seem to have found some potential gems, though most teams around the NFL feel good about the outcome right now.
This was the first draft in several years that didn't involve former offensive coordinator and new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson. He's been instrumental in helping the organization identify offensive talent, and it looks like his fingerprints were all over the Bears' draft plans.
After picking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at pick No. 10, Johnson turned his attention to Missouri star wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second round. Speaking to the media after the draft, Johnson revealed he received a text from a Lions star praising his decisions.
Ben Johnson said he got a text from Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams about Luther Burden III, who is a fellow East St. Louis, Ill. native.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 27, 2025
What did that text read? "You got a dog just like me."
Lions WR Jameson Williams Praises Ben Johnson's Draft With Bears
Wide receiver Jameson Williams told Johnson, "You got a dog just like me" in reference to Burden. Both players hail from St. Louis, MO, and appear to have some sort of relationship.
If Burden can come anywhere close to Williams' production, he'll be a slam-dunk pick. Despite dealing with suspensions, Williams has been one of the NFC's most dynamic receivers when on the field. He caught 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven TDs in 2024, looking like one of the breakout stars of the campaign.
Burden, meanwhile, is thought to be perhaps the best slot receiver in this class. He had 1,212 receiving yards and nine TDs in 2023, though poor quarterback play caused his production to decline last year, hence the slide into the second round. He's a valuable kick and punt returner and has a knack for breaking tackles, so it's easy to imagine Johnson scheming up plays to give Burden the ball in space.
These two teams will certainly be battling in the near future, and how Johnson fares against his old team will be an interesting storyline to watch. At least based on Williams' initial thoughts with the draft, Johnson is doing a nice job so far.