Luther Burden III

Burden has risen considerably in rankings as the offseason progressed. An injury has slowed the momentum, but the biggest concern for me is high draft pick from 2024, Rome Odunze. There is room in this offense for two top 24 wide receivers, especially if Caleb Williams makes further progression. 

Burden adapted to the speed of the NFL almost instantly. His ability to make defenders miss and pick up yards after the catch gives him a highly reliable weekly floor. Chicago’s offense is absolutely loaded, which is a bit of a double-edged sword. He has true breakout potential in year two, but he will have to fight some incredibly talented teammates for targets.

Burden's ability to win at every level of the field, Caleb Williams' continued improvement, and Ben Johnson's unassailable offensive scheme make him the top breakout candidate in fantasy for 2026. Johnson recently declared him 100% recovered from the groin injury that kept him out most of camp.

Burden was the 2025 Rookie Scouting Portfolio's top talent at wide receiver. Bears' Head Coach Ben Johnson slow-played Burden into the lineup, preferring to use veterans so he could ingrain the offensive philosphy into Caleb Williams before clouding the picture with mutiple inexperienced talents. 

Some fantasy analysts mislabeled Burden a gadget player. It couldn't be further from the truth. Burden is a mix of Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and there's a good chance we'll see him deliver as one of the top two options in Chicago's passing game this year. 

Expect both volume and big plays after the catch and in the vertical game.