Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Luther Burden III
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 56.1 | 0.3 |
Alec Pierce News
Friday, July 3, 11:01 AM
For the first time in his career, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2025 and was handsomely rewarded with a new four-year, $114 million contract minutes after officially reaching free agency. With the Colts trading away their leading target-earner from each of the past five seasons in Michael Pittman Jr., there is little doubt as to who their primary receiver will be in 2026, and with an opportunity to blend some of the league's most high-value targets with a significant volume increase, Pierce has legitimate week-winning potential. Targeted only 149 times over the past two seasons, Pierce has scored on 8.7% of those opportunities while registering a staggering 21.8 yards per reception. With his primary competition now coming from second-year tight end Tyler Warren and a slot receiver in Josh Downs who saw fewer than 30 total snaps in two receiver sets in 2025, Pierce could threaten to match his two-season target total in 2026 alone. With his current ADP of WR38 routinely pushing him into the seventh round or later, fantasy managers would be hard-pressed to find more upside from that area of 2026 drafts.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.9 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 4.3 | 55.5 | 0.3 |
Luther Burden III News
Tuesday, July 14, 10:17 AM
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III is one of the most clear breakout candidates at his position in 2026, according to Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. "I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," head coach Ben Johnson said back in May. Johnson called Burden's growth this offseason "electric." The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) out of the University of Missouri took off in the second half as a rookie, posting 40 catches, 547 yards and a touchdown in his final 10 games, including the postseason. Burden is carrying increased confidence, heightened trust from Johnson, and improved chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams. "He's the truth, man. And nothing but the truth," tight end Colston Loveland said. Burden had a total line of 47 catches, 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts) as a rookie, but with DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden could easily become Chicago's WR1 over Rome Odunze in 2026. Fantasy managers should be looking to draft Burden as a strong WR2 this year with upside for more in a Bears offense that's looking to take the next step in Johnson's second season running the show.
Alec Pierce vs. Luther Burden III
Still trying to decide between Pierce and Burden III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Alec Pierce is projected to score 11.2 points this week while Luther Burden III is projected to score 11.9 points.
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