Luther Burden
vs Jameson Williams

“Burden has a 23.5% target share with 1.95 YPRR, six red zone targets (leads the team), zero deep targets, and a 32.8% first-read share (leads the team). This week, he faces a Jets’ secondary that has the fifth-highest two-high rate in the NFL (65.4%). Against two high, Burden is second on the team with a 21% target-per-route run rate with only 0.79 YPRR.”

“Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Burden has seen a 31% first-read target rate (WR13). His biggest issues right now are route participation and Kalif Raymond . The upside still exists in a Ben Johnson offense, and I am willing to buy at a discount from a manager who has already lost faith.”

“Burden has played 55% of his snaps from the slot, but he has been targeted on only 12.5% of his slot routes (0.75 yards per route), compared with 32% of his routes outside (2.84 yards per route). The Eagles obviously have awesome boundary corners in Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen , so it is hard to play through Burden's splits outside. Philadelphia has allowed 10 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns to slot receivers so far, which likely plays a role in adding Kenny Moore this week and potentially giving them more flexibility to move Cooper DeJean around more like they did last week.”

“Luther Burden steps into a much larger workload in 2026. Last year (including the playoffs), Burden had only five games in which he played at least 53% of the snaps. In those games, he had a 15.5% target share and 61.2 receiving yards per game, which is concerning, but his per-route metrics were outstanding, with 2.30 yards per route run, a 23.6% first-read share, and 0.120 first downs per route run.”

“Luther Burden was just as buzzy as Parker Washington within the fantasy community this summer. Like Washington, Burden did some things late last season that whetted our appetite for a full breakout in 2026.”

“Luther Burden of the Chicago Bears is my pick for league-winner at receiver. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden steps into a much larger role alongside Rome Odunze and should command a significant target share in an improving Bears offense.”

“Shifting Burden into this alpha role makes perfect sense. Burden is an elite YAC monster, and Ben Johnson would use him as an offensive weapon all over the formation. In a record-breaking year, Burden’s ceiling isn’t just a low-end WR1 – it is an overall top-5 standard/PPR finish fueled by manufactured touches and explosive chunk plays.”

“The hype around Burden has gotten out of control. He averaged fewer PPR fantasy points per game than Theo Wease Jr. last season (8.6 vs. 8.5).”

“Among WRs with 80+ routes run, Jameson Williams ranks eighth in air yards per target. Despite the Panthers having the seventh-highest blitz rate, they are closer to league average when it comes to time to throw, allowing 2.87 seconds. That is important because giving Jared Goff more time in the pocket should allow Jameson Williams to actually get downfield for big plays and hopefully some yards after the catch.”

“According to the Fantasy Points Data Suite, Williams ranks fourth on the team in target share at just 14.7%. He hasn’t shown the same explosiveness we are used to seeing. Last year, he created 6.75 yards after catch per reception; this year, through three games, it’s virtually nonexistent at 0.30.”

“Jameson Williams has reminded fantasy managers that he is a boom/bust play, but he faces the Jets, Panthers, and Cardinals and could bounce back.”

““I’m not sure why Jameson Williams is off to a slow start (I know he’s had a few drops), but the reasons I like him haven’t changed. He’s still a very talented player on a team whose defense is expected to struggle. Because of that, the Lions will have to pass plenty in the fourth quarter.”

“You don’t have to look hard to find fantasy enthusiasts who, using these two weeks and some splits from last season, argue that Williams is straight-up useless with Sam LaPorta healthy. But Williams’ usage — 92% route rate, 16% target share, 31% air yards share — is still excellent, especially given the Lions’ overall offensive efficiency. He’s scored just 10.8 half-PPR points on 26.8 expected points, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.”

“Williams had a 23.1% target share and a fantastic 36% first-read share, but he had two drops and secured only one of his three contested targets. He also had one red zone target and two deep targets. The big takeaway is that his utilization was WONDERFUL, but Williams produced a wet-fart stat line with 45 scoreless receiving yards because of a bad game.”

“Williams had 23.1% of the team's targets (WR25) with 54.2% of the air yards (WR6). He did have the big drop, but 33.3% of his targets were also uncatchable. Although he did have the shot play that he put down, Williams still got access to a favorable part of the target tree, rather than solely living downfield.”

“Jameson Williams has incredible speed and can turn a five-yard screen pass into a 40-yard gain. Williams ranked 10th in the NFL with 441 yards after the catch (YAC) last season.”

“However, the former Alabama star can also be a weekly winner. Last season, Williams scored 17.3 or more fantasy points in 41.2% of his games, including over 26.2 twice during the final six weeks, but both contests came with Sam LaPorta sidelined.”

“Jameson Williams (WR – DET) “ Jameson Williams has probably been my most frequently drafted player. Don’t write off Williams’ late-season surge in 2025 as a byproduct of TE Sam LaPorta ‘s back injury.”