Who Should I Start? Kalif Raymond or Zachariah Branch

Monday, August 24, 11:37 AM

Chicago Bears wide receiver/kick returner Kalif Raymond has done nothing but impress his teammates and the coaching staff during training camp this summer, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. "Man, Kalif is amazing," receiver Luther Burden III said. "He's really like a coach out there. He's a great guy on and off the field. You can learn from him. His release package is sick. He's a great guy, and he's out the roof. Kalif is a great leader for the team; he's the guy, man." Raymond has not had more than 300 yards receiving since 2023, but he has established himself as a Hall of Famer in work ethic and vibes, Fishbain writes. "This guy is the most selfless player I've ever been around," head coach Ben Johnson said. Raymond has reunited with Johnson, who was formerly the Lions' passing-game coordinator in 2021, when Raymond had 576 receiving yards and four touchdowns. When Johnson was the offensive coordinator in 2022, Raymond had 616 yards. Raymond has been the recipient of some of the team's most explosive plays this summer after initially being an afterthought signing to compete for the WR3 role behind Burden and Rome Odunze. Speed is what separates the 32-year-old veteran as both a receiver and a kick returner, but barring an injury to Burden or Odunze, Raymond is a hard sell for WR depth in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.