Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Luther Burden III

Saturday, November 22, 12:24 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (coach's decision) has been inactive for the last two weeks, and he's trending toward being a healthy scratch again in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens. Lazard went from playing 78 percent of the snaps in Week 8 to being a healthy scratch for the Jets' next game, and he has been inactive ever since, even with the Jets trying to find ways to replace Garrett Wilson (knee). So far, Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie III, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, and Isaiah Williams have been the Jets' preferred replacements for Wilson, leaving Lazard as the odd man out. With all five of those receivers healthy, it looks like Lazard is heading for more of the same. Don't expect him to suit up against Baltimore.

Monday, November 24, 10:19 PM

Across the first 10 games of his NFL career, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III has recorded just 22 receptions for 295 yards and one touchdown on 28 targets. However, Burden III has been playing some of his best football in recent weeks. Over his last three outings, the 21-year-old has hauled in nine catches for 124 yards on 13 targets. Perhaps most importantly, Burden III could be overtaking Bears veteran Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 role in Chicago alongside Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. Over the last two weeks, Burden III has earned 66 offensive snaps compared to just 33 for Zaccheaus. The presence of Odunze and Moore caps Burden III's upside. Still, the rookie has flashed big-play ability and appears to be carving out a more stable playing time floor. Burden III should be a waiver-wire target in fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams heading into a Week 13 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.