Following a four-year career at Virginia that finished with him atop the program’s all-time receptions list (by a mile), Olamide Zaccheaus was an undersized undrafted free agent. Names like Marquise Brown, N’Keal Harry, Deebo Samuel, and AJ Brown were the initial receivers taken that year. In total, 28 were drafted. Over his first four seasons in the league (all of which were in Atlanta), Zaccheaus saw his production increase in each of them. For the third straight offseason he signed a one-year deal for a team looking to add a veteran presence to the slot. In 2024, he finished as Washington’s number three pass catcher and number one punt returner. The $1.5 million contract for the 2025 season is the biggest of his career to date and was the biggest move the now-Ben Johnson led regime made in free agency to the skill positions on offense.
“This is the best yard-after-catch player in the draft and it isn’t close. He is a faster version of Deebo Samuel” ..was the closing line of my Luther Burden report last spring. A second round pick of the Bears in the new Ben Johnson-led offense, Burden is set for a unique role that can be eased into action as they try to firm up the loose ends to his skill set. After a free agency period that was aimed at beefing up the interior of the offensive line, the junior out of Missouri wasn’t even the first pass catcher drafted by the team. That role went to tight end Colston Loveland as Johnson will likely try to replicate the 12-personnel scheme he used last year in Detroit. That likely gives Burden a gadget weapon-type role which can put him in advantageous spots rather than forcing too much on to his plate early on. His best football in college came when the opponent did not know where he would line up or how he would be used. That is where he can shine brightest.
Prediction: Zaccheaus
Year one of Ben Johnson after a year one of Caleb Williams struggling as a rookie is likely to have a safer feel than a more aggressive one, at least early on. The urgency to sign Zaccheaus is going to have the same trajectory of him playing with Jayden Daniels in Washington last season. Safe, dependable, smart. The veteran who has produced across multiple offenses gives Burden, the definite long term answer, the needed time to adapt to the offensive scheme.