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WR Luther Burden III, CHI (1 Viewer)

Bears fan checking in. IMO, Burden will be a boom/bust fantasy player for the rest of the season. He may push for more targets, but I doubt they will be consistent. Rome will get the homerun balls, DJM will get the underneath passes and manufactured touches, Zacchius will get a few touches here and there, and the trio of Kmet, Burden and Loveland will get occasional high value targets with little to no consistency.
 
Footballdaz said:
Bears need to trade Moore and get Luther going.
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If it happens, it won't be in-season. Bears would be incredibly thin at WR without Moore...and awfully young. Despite the "his body language!!!" crowd toward the end of last season, DJM has been the model of a professional player during his time in Chicago. He was clearly frustrated with the previous regime, but came to OTAs and camp in good physical and mental shape and seemed to be genuinely excited for the change in camp. The fact that Ben Johnson is manufacturing touches for DJM is a huge sign of trust.
 
Footballdaz said:
Bears need to trade Moore and get Luther going.
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agreed - too many mouths to feed. Would love for the Jets to trade for him but he has a monster cap hit - not sure Bears would be up to take the hit on that so likely multi headed monster but should be an entertaining O.

I put a lot of stock in that Luther was hand picked by this regime so he'll get his - but likely boom/bust for time being. Love his future tho
 
steelwind said:
Wait so if I play this out in my mind, a path for Burden to WR3 means he has to at the very least leap frog DJ Moore.
If we're drawing comparisons to Jamo. Jamo has been the WR2 in Det. After St. Brown, no competition for targets in WR room.
They also just played Dallas who is looking like TB defense of 2024.
Will Ben Johnson really phase out DJ Moore?
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Waldman thinks that Burden is a more complete receiver than Moore. He said something like Burden is their best route runner and best at working his way open. So, he believes that Burden will develop a great rapport with Caleb.

Also, he sees Moore/ Burden competing for the Amon-Ra targets and Odunze filling the Jamo role.

Btw, I don’t endorse Waldman’s opinion. I’m just the messenger. But, this is how Burden would have fantasy WR2/WR3 value (without an injury to Moore or Odunze).
 
bolzano said:
steelwind said:
Wait so if I play this out in my mind, a path for Burden to WR3 means he has to at the very least leap frog DJ Moore.
If we're drawing comparisons to Jamo. Jamo has been the WR2 in Det. After St. Brown, no competition for targets in WR room.
They also just played Dallas who is looking like TB defense of 2024.
Will Ben Johnson really phase out DJ Moore?
Click to expand...
Waldman thinks that Burden is a more complete receiver than Moore. He said something like Burden is their best route runner and best at working his way open. So, he believes that Burden will develop a great rapport with Caleb.

Also, he sees Moore/ Burden competing for the Amon-Ra targets and Odunze filling the Jamo role.

Btw, I don’t endorse Waldman’s opinion. I’m just the messenger. But, this is how Burden would have fantasy WR2/WR3 value (without an injury to Moore or Odunze).
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Zaccheaus is solid and not going anywhere this year. Burden needs more seasoning, but he was one of my favorite rookies in this draft (took him at 7 with no regrets) and think he will eventually be an absolute stud. The regime will scheme him into games but he will most likely need an injury to start seeing more opportunities this year.
 
Barring injury, I dunno. Odunze had been a target hog, and DJ Moore puts up numbers every year. People talking about his terrible year last year, well he had 90 catches, 6 TD, and 900 yards.

The Bears don't think Moore is as replaceable as fantasy owners do, IMO.
 
I am lowering my bid based on what others are saying here. I agree there are a lot of mouths to feed and breaking the bank for a WR that's 3rd on his team is iffy.

In dynasty/keeper, are you guys valuing Luther pretty highly?
 
RaidersAreOne said:
I am lowering my bid based on what others are saying here. I agree there are a lot of mouths to feed and breaking the bank for a WR that's 3rd on his team is iffy.

In dynasty/keeper, are you guys valuing Luther pretty highly?
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In most of my leagues he went in the early 2nd round of rookie drafts. I think it's safe to say that he's moved up into mid to late 1st round pick value at this point. If DJM gets moved, his value instantly increases.
 
bolzano said:
steelwind said:
Wait so if I play this out in my mind, a path for Burden to WR3 means he has to at the very least leap frog DJ Moore.
If we're drawing comparisons to Jamo. Jamo has been the WR2 in Det. After St. Brown, no competition for targets in WR room.
They also just played Dallas who is looking like TB defense of 2024.
Will Ben Johnson really phase out DJ Moore?
Click to expand...
Waldman thinks that Burden is a more complete receiver than Moore. He said something like Burden is their best route runner and best at working his way open. So, he believes that Burden will develop a great rapport with Caleb.

Also, he sees Moore/ Burden competing for the Amon-Ra targets and Odunze filling the Jamo role.

Btw, I don’t endorse Waldman’s opinion. I’m just the messenger. But, this is how Burden would have fantasy WR2/WR3 value (without an injury to Moore or Odunze).
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. If you want Burden it's for the WR2 potential in this offense which is well within the realm of possibility. I'm banking on it but understand why others wouldn't.
 
RaidersAreOne said:
I am lowering my bid based on what others are saying here. I agree there are a lot of mouths to feed and breaking the bank for a WR that's 3rd on his team is iffy.

In dynasty/keeper, are you guys valuing Luther pretty highly?
Click to expand...
I took Burden at 1.12 knowing it was likely "wait until 2026" on him. So far I've seen nothing to dissuade me from that, and if someone offered me a late first as a re-roll I'd rather just hold him. Not too big on the 2026 class anyway.
 
bolzano said:
steelwind said:
Wait so if I play this out in my mind, a path for Burden to WR3 means he has to at the very least leap frog DJ Moore.
If we're drawing comparisons to Jamo. Jamo has been the WR2 in Det. After St. Brown, no competition for targets in WR room.
They also just played Dallas who is looking like TB defense of 2024.
Will Ben Johnson really phase out DJ Moore?
Click to expand...
Waldman thinks that Burden is a more complete receiver than Moore. He said something like Burden is their best route runner and best at working his way open. So, he believes that Burden will develop a great rapport with Caleb.

Also, he sees Moore/ Burden competing for the Amon-Ra targets and Odunze filling the Jamo role.

Btw, I don’t endorse Waldman’s opinion. I’m just the messenger. But, this is how Burden would have fantasy WR2/WR3 value (without an injury to Moore or Odunze).
Click to expand...
I'm with you on all fronts, but I do have to add one point of irony; if Waldman seemed to have a constant neg on Burden it was his attitude and work ethic. Noting the irony because that was the rub with Moore from last season in the dysfunctional mess the Bears were. I don't think we've seen anything from Burden yet to warrant concern there though, just thought it was funny as we are drawing the parallels between Moore and Burden. I don't personally think Burden is already better than Moore, but I do think going just by college tape an argument can be made his ceiling is higher.

And I've made the point several times around Odunze and it obviously would apply to Burden too; I think he's working with one of, if not the, best WR coaches in the league in Antwaan Randle El. If someone can make sure he stays on the fast track to acclimating to the league, it will be him. And even if he never truly surpasses Moore in skill, I think they overlap enough that he could replace him in Ben Johnsons scheme. I'd imagine that was part of the reason for drafting him.
 
Any possibility he usurps DJ Moore's target share? He feels like he fits this offense better than Moore.
 
This is from a Brad Briggs Q&A today:

Will Luther Burden III get more reps and will Ben Johnson consider five wide receivers? —

Burden’s playing time has been relatively consistent through three weeks. He has played 47 offensive snaps: 18 in Week 1, 12 in Week 2 and 17 on Sunday, when he caught three passes for 101 yards, including the 65-yard touchdown on a flea-flicker.

The coaches were pretty transparent about Burden’s situation over the course of training camp. If you read between the lines, it was clear they would put more on his plate as he continued to earn their trust.

If fellow rookie Colston Loveland is slowed at all by the hip injury he suffered Sunday — and indications are it’s nothing serious — that would create more opportunities for 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers). Burden has received some work in 11 so far, rotating with Olamide Zaccheaus, and we’ve also seen him in some big-boy packages. Whenever I see Burden on the field with two tight ends, my mind immediately goes to play action with max protection and Burden as Caleb Williams’ No. 1 read on a deep shot.

As you know, the offense needs to spread the ball around to a lot of players, and as usual, you can make a valid case the tight ends aren’t getting enough targets. I’d expect Burden’s playing time to increase gradually as the season goes on because he’s an explosive player.

As far as five-wideout sets, the Bears aren’t going to major in that, even in instances when they can line up DJ Moore in the backfield. The key to Burden getting more reps is finding a role in more 11 and 12 personnel formations.
 
I had Amon Ra his rookie year and dropped him right before he started going off. I am not making this mistake with Burden. Also keep in mind that the Bears bye is week 5. He could be a big deal early on starting week 6. The staff loves him. I think this past week PFF had him as the highest graded WR this season.
 
mrfrood said:
I had Amon Ra his rookie year and dropped him right before he started going off. I am not making this mistake with Burden. Also keep in mind that the Bears bye is week 5. He could be a big deal early on starting week 6. The staff loves him. I think this past week PFF had him as the highest graded WR this season.
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I'll never forget that a week before ASRB starting breaking out I had put him as a cut in a claim to pick up Foster Moreau in a TEP league. By the grace of god I was outbid. I assume you are talking about redraft, this was a dynasty league. I've had some horrible cuts in my time(Kittle and Kelce come to mind) but none where I was a week off of long term relevance like that. Would have broke my spirits.

I was also forecasting a possible post by week bump where I could see something like him at least seizing most of Zacchieus role. I'm not what you'd call counting on it, but think it's in the cards.
 
Drafted Burden in redraft. Holding. I like his chances to earn more opportunities and possibly entering my starting lineup later in the season. Loved his TD this past week.
 
ponchsox said:
You guys think Burden is a better stash than Ayomanor in redraft?
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Depends how deep the lineups are. I'm starting ayo in one redraft with 3 flexes. He's got the targets right now to be a decent option. But I also have Burden stashed there.

For a more shallow starting lineup, high ceiling guys like Burden get a bump.
 
What do we think an “activated” Burden produces? Moore and OZ aren’t startable now, and then you add a 4th wr into the mix. With the 2 TEs and Swift avg 3 recs a game there isn’t a lot to go around. We would be relying on efficiency more than volume. What’s his output with 3-4 recs a game? 45 yards and 0.25 tds?
 
jurrassic said:
What do we think an “activated” Burden produces? Moore and OZ aren’t startable now, and then you add a 4th wr into the mix. With the 2 TEs and Swift avg 3 recs a game there isn’t a lot to go around. We would be relying on efficiency more than volume. What’s his output with 3-4 recs a game? 45 yards and 0.25 tds?
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Hit and miss for redraft. Dynasty gold imo.
 
Yeah I'm interested in possibly flexing him this week. Washington will score points and the Bears will probably be chasing points.
 
I keep picking up and dropping this guy. I'm both a believer and a skeptic. When forced to drop him I tell myself there aren't enough touches to go around. When I pick him back up I believe in the draft capital, talent and the hope he just gets more snaps.
 
jurrassic said:
I keep picking up and dropping this guy. I'm both a believer and a skeptic. When forced to drop him I tell myself there aren't enough touches to go around. When I pick him back up I believe in the draft capital, talent and the hope he just gets more snaps.
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He’s just staring me in the face as a FA in all my leagues. The players I’d drop are also gambles so no clue.
 
Doubles said:
jurrassic said:
I keep picking up and dropping this guy. I'm both a believer and a skeptic. When forced to drop him I tell myself there aren't enough touches to go around. When I pick him back up I believe in the draft capital, talent and the hope he just gets more snaps.
Click to expand...
He’s just staring me in the face as a FA in all my leagues. The players I’d drop are also gambles so no clue.
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Really depends on the roster and needs. I've already dropped him twice having to cover for byes and injuries. I think if he plays enough he has a better chance to produce than others, but that team is full of skill players.
 
Much like others, I have some real bye week issues coming up, especially week 8. If Burden is getting like 5 targets per game by then, he's definitely in my lineup. If not, that is probably my cut bait week in redraft.
 
Love Burden as a player but he needs to see more than 2 targets per game before he can be trusted as a flex. I can see the hope for increased usage now that the bye week is behind him, but I feel like we need to see that boost first. It's entirely possible that Loveland gets more involved as well, adding to the clutter.
 
I would like to roster the guy, but I can’t take him over a bench RB who could be a bellcow with 1 injury. RB just way more scarce than WR. But if im going for a lotto ticket WR he’s the one to have. You’d need to start seeing his snap and target share metrics go up a ton and maybe a dj Moore trade. If zaccheus went away and he had the Amon ra role that’s when I’d bite. May be too late but stashing lotto tickets is like musical chairs. Just got to be faster than the other guy when the music stops.
 
"Better" than Moore is a hard thing to say right now, but I do think he has the potential to wind up with a higher ceiling than him. And factoring in that he's 7 years younger I think I'd rather Burden on my rosters at this point; he's shown enough on the field to win that one IMO. He's 100% better than Zaccheaus though and should be getting the majority of his snaps and targets; like to see 60%+ and 7-8 a game on each of those numbers.

Waiting to see what's up with this DJ Moore in the hospital news, because it could be the open door he needs.
 
mrfrood said:
That pass that Zaccheaus dropped... Burden would have caught that and taken it to the house.
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There were at least two passes even prior to this that a good receiver would have caught, even though admittedly they were not right on target. Z didn't even get his hands on those. so yea, I would think after tape review this week Burden gets more of those over Z going forward. but even so, so far I don't see enough for him to supplant either Moore nor Odunze for this season. More opportunity is more opportunity though so arrow could start pointing up soon. can Caleb support three receivers in the vertical game? and a TE? too many mouths on that team for redraft IMO.
 
mrfrood said:
Faust said:
Sleeper Bears
Bears passer ratings when targeted this season:

🔶Luther Burden III - 146.5
🔶Rome Odunze - 112.4
🔶DJ Moore - 108.5
🔶D’Andre Swift - 107.6
🔶Cole Kmet - 84.5
🔶Colston Loveland - 73.4
🔶Olamide Zaccheaus - 56.1

🐻⬇️ #DaBears
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Olamide Zaccheaus - 56.1 LMFAO. Get that trash out of there and put in the rich man's Amon Ra St. Brown!
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But NFL coaches is got them smartz! They are all geniuses! Just ask them.
 
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