Luther Burden
vs Tucker Kraft

“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).”

“Tucker Kraft caught four passes for 26 yards, but his eight targets are a sign of encouragement.”

“Tucker Kraft is the TE27 and hasn’t had at least double-digit PPR points in any game this season. Over the last two games, he has had a 70.9% route share with a 13.4% target share, 0.67 YPRR, only 5.0 YAC per reception, and an 18.2% first-read share. Kraft has one deep target and one red zone look.”

“Tucker Kraft caught 4 of 8 targets for 26 yards (with multiple drops). Still a real riser in raw volume (3 official/5 true → 8) even though his snap share actually fell (98% → 76%). You’re happy with the Packers WRs, not so much with Kraft.”

“Kraft is still only 10 months removed from ACL surgery after tearing it in mid-November 2025. Even with that, he has seen a 63% route share over the past two weeks. While that is just outside the top 10 tight ends in usage, I expect his role to continue growing as the year goes on.”

“With Christian Watson and Matthew Golden dominating targets from Jordan Love – the pair have accounted for 50% of team targets at all positions – it is hardly surprising that Kraft has been left to pick up scraps as the clear third option in this Green Bay passing game. Sure, he may still be recovering from that torn ACL…but all reports heading into the season were that he was 100% good-to-go; so I am not buying it. Contrast this with Kelce and his almost sickening chemistry with Mahomes, and it looks as if Zeus could once again be near the summit of the TE mountain come the fantasy playoffs.”

“TE Tucker Kraft vs ATL If you have Kraft, make sure he is in your lineup tonight against Atlanta. The ramp-up happened quickly off the ACL injury, with Kraft’s snap involvement going from 66% in week one to 98% last week. The Packers’ offense struggled to get much of anything going last week, but the consensus seems to be that Kraft’s usage (or lack thereof) might have been the problem.”

“Given his current cost, Tucker Kraft is my favorite tight end to target this season, compared to the options ahead of him.”