Who Should I Start? George Pickens or Luther Burden III


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
15.2 0.2 0.0 5.0 75.4 0.4

George Pickens News

George Pickens Flops In Week 1 Loss

Sunday, September 13, 8:04 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens entered 2026 with massive expectations, but met none of them in Week 1. He was targeted six times, hauling in three passes for 26 yards. He was quiet even against one of 2025's worst NFL defenses, especially against the pass. Pickens may need some time to get going, but the entire offense looked sluggish in what should have been an easy matchup. A dominant 2025 gave way to a flop for Pickens in Week 1. Nobody really did much, though. Dallas possessed the ball only two times in the second half, and scored touchdowns on both drives. Their defense struggled mightily, though, with Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart effectively able to move the ball and grind the clock down. Pickens' uncharacteristic drop in the first quarter punctuated a night he hopes to forget before Week 2, when Dallas faces another divisional rival in the Washington Commanders.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
11.5 2.5 0.0 4.2 55.3 0.2

Luther Burden III News

Luther Burden III Could See Bigger Role in Week 1

Friday, September 11, 6:57 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is without an injury designation for his team's opening game against the hosting Carolina Panthers. Burden sustained a groin injury in early August that derailed his preseason, but he returned to practice ahead of Week 1 and did so at full capacity. The 22-year-old's late-2025 surge jettisoned him up draft boards this Summer, and rightfully so considering his talent and participation in an ascending, young offense. He'll get a Panthers squad to open the year that has made some improvements on the defensive side, but is by no means a scary matchup. More so, Burden could be in line for a heavier target share if fellow wideout Rome Odunze (calf) is hampered by a soft-tissue issue picked up last week. For now, fantasy managers can roll out the Missouri native as a high-upside WR3/flex, with the innate ability to break off a big play at a moment's notice. Burden is RotoBaller's PPR WR27 for the first week of play.


George Pickens vs. Luther Burden III

Still trying to decide between Pickens and Burden III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that George Pickens is projected to score 15.2 points this week while Luther Burden III is projected to score 11.5 points.