Every week, the NFL delivers a remarkable range of stories. I like to use this spot to encapsulate that broad expanse here.
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The Good: Insider Trading
As NFL.com's Bobby Kownack wrote, "If fantasy footballers are seeking a little insider trading in May, they need not look further than the Chicago Bears head coach."
That's right. Ben Johnson sang the praises of Luther Burden III on Thursday, giving credence to a potential second-year breakout for the wide receiver.
"I'm buying Luther Burden III stock right now, just how he's approached his offseason," Johnson said. "It's been electric."
Burden, the 39th-overall pick by Chicago in the 2025 NFL Draft, was impactful as a rookie but took time to get going -- both due to still getting acclimated and starting off third in the receiver pecking order behind Rome Odunze and DJ Moore.
He finished with 47 receptions, 652 yards, and two touchdowns. The respectable output came despite being held to a single catch in four of his first seven NFL games. Through his first 10 contests, he reached four receptions just once; in his final five regular-season outings, he hit the mark or bettered it on four occasions.
Heading into Year 2, with Moore traded to the Buffalo Bills, Burden will be a focal point in the passing game as Johnson looks to get the ball into his playmaker's hands as much as possible.
Burden's WR24 Footballguys projection isn't far off the youngster's WR22 Average Draft Position. That projection stipulates an 83-catch, 1,017-yard, six-touchdown season.
There's room for him to outperform those numbers, and Johnson's endorsement is a good reason to believe he will.