Who Should I Start? Joshua Palmer or Luther Burden III

Tuesday, July 1, 9:49 PM

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia has Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer listed as a sleeper after signing a three-year deal with the team in the offseason. Buscaglia writes that Palmer's potential role and impact in this year's passing offense "are being slept on a bit." He's exactly what the Bills offense lacked last year -- a precise route-runner that specializes in separation who has enough speed to push down the field for deeper targets. The 25-year-old should be a nice fit for the Z receiver role after Buffalo tried to force Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins into the role in 2024. Buscaglia writes that Palmer could win the Hollins award for unexpected player who will play a lot more than most people think. Ultimately, Palmer probably won't see enough volume in this offense to warrant anything more than WR4/5 value in fantasy unless Khalil Shakir or Keon Coleman miss time with injury.

Saturday, July 26, 11:31 AM

Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) remains out of training camp practice on Saturday, but head coach Ben Johnson said he's hopeful that Burden will be back soon. The 21-year-old second-rounder suffered an undisclosed soft-tissue injury during the offseason program during the spring and isn't quite ready to join the rest of the team on the field at camp. However, Burden avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list and should be back sooner than later as he competes for the No. 3 receiver role in his first NFL season behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The 39th overall pick has plenty of playmaking abilities but will most likely struggle for consistent targets in Year 1 as long a Moore and Odunze stay healthy. Olamide Zaccheaus figures to be Burden's primary competition.