Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Luther Burden III

Sunday, January 5, 8:34 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce did his usual thing on Sunday, catching a deep 40-yard touchdown pass on the team's opening drive and adding another 17-yard catch in the 26-23 win over the Jaguars. Despite only 37 receptions on the season, the 24-year-old finishes as the Colts' receiving leader with 824 yards and seven touchdowns. With blazing speed, he led the league in average depth of target (aDOT) which helped him rack up the yardage. The former second-round draft pick will likely fill a similar role in 2025 but, unless he can garner additional targets, it's hard to envision outpacing this season's production. Nevertheless, he should be worthy of at least a bench spot in next year's drafts, as he can be a viable (yet volatile) fill-in when the bye weeks hit.

Tuesday, June 10, 9:57 PM

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed), who suffered an undisclosed injury back in rookie minicamp, is expected to be ready to go for the start of training camp in late July, according to head coach Ben Johnson. The 21-year-old second-rounder has yet to sign his rookie deal, too, which is also playing a part in his absence from offseason workouts as he heads into his first year in the NFL. Burden is losing valuable reps to learn Johnson's offense, but when he does rejoin the team, he has an opportunity to be the Bears' No. 3 wideout in 2025 behind DJ Moore and second-year pass-catcher Rome Odunze. When you factor in tight ends Cole Kmet and rookie Colston Loveland (shoulder) and running back D'Andre Swift, it's a lot of mouths to feed in Chicago. Burden's physicality and production in college make him a fine dynasty/keeper stash, but he could struggle for consistency in 2025.