Who Should I Start? Luther Burden III or Emeka Egbuka

Sunday, August 10, 5:10 PM

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III started his NFL career by catching two of three passes for 29 yards in Sunday's 24-24 tie against the Dolphins. Burden caught two passes for significant gains: a 16-yard reception on 3rd and 15, and a 13-yard gain that put kicker Cairo Santos in field-goal range. In crucial moments, quarterback Tyson Bagent looked to the rookie, and he delivered. Burden is currently behind D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay on the Bears' unofficial depth chart, but he showed promise in his first game action. Expect more from Burden in the next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

Wednesday, August 6, 7:12 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been a standout performer in training camp practices, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Laine writes that Egbuka has "stepped into Chris Godwin's role as (Tampa Bay's) big slot receiver." With Godwin (ankle) potentially sidelined to start the regular season while he recovers from ankle surgery, Egbuka could be in line for significant playing time immediately. In his final collegiate season at Ohio State in 2024, Egbuka caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. The 22-year-old profiles as a fringe WR3/flex option with significant upside, particularly if Godwin struggles to return to full health in 2025.