Who Should I Start? Jalen Coker or Luther Burden III

Friday, January 30, 12:43 PM

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that wide receiver Jalen Coker will enter the offseason as the team's No. 2 wideout behind 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, according to David Newton of ESPN. Newton also writes that the Panthers' top offseason priority is locking Coker down long term. He's an exclusive-rights free agent, so the team could tender him an offer for the league minimum to ensure that he's around in 2026 at a low cost. The 24-year-old came on strong late in 2025 and had nine catches for 134 yards and one touchdown in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. If the Panthers truly believe in Coker, they could look to lock him up long-term at a reasonable price. Injuries have limited Coker to 22 regular-season games in his first two years in the NFL, but when on the field, he's been productive, catching 65 passes for 872 yards and five touchdowns on 89 targets. If he can finally stay healthy in Year 3, Coker has true breakout potential.

Tuesday, January 27, 12:10 PM

Across 15 games in 2025, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III recorded 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. While the 22-year-old's full-season numbers may not jump off the page, he closed his rookie season on a strong note. Across his final seven games, including postseason play, Burden III hauled in 31 catches for 423 yards and a touchdown on 46 targets. In that same seven-game stretch, Burden III earned at least six targets in every game but one. Heading into 2026, Burden III could be poised to hit the ground running as one of the featured pieces in the Chicago passing game. It's worth noting that the Bears have other talented pass-catchers in wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, as well as tight end Colston Loveland, who are also worthy target-earners. Still, Burden III's late-season breakout demonstrates his upside. He profiles as a wide receiver option on the rise for fantasy managers in both dynasty and redraft leagues.