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.

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.