Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Luther Burden III

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Rashod Bateman News

Rashod Bateman Unlikely to See a Dynasty Revival in New-Look Offense

Thursday, June 11, 5:48 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has had a disappointing early career since being drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. While missing four games in 2025, he still saw the second-most playing time of all Ravens receivers, but he was unable to follow up on his career-high 756 receiving yards from the previous season, and he's yet to top the 46 receptions of his rookie campaign. His 2024 season also looks to be an outlier from a touchdown perspective, as his nine scores that year mark the only instance of him finding the end zone more than twice. With Baltimore welcoming in an entirely new coaching staff and spending third and fourth-round picks on receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, while subsequently saying goodbye to tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, the Ravens offense could look entirely different in 2026, and Bateman's role is far from secured. Under contract through his age-30 season, Bateman's prospects of a fantasy-relevant breakout are looking bleak, and the sixth-year veteran has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty WR112.

START

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Luther Burden III News

Luther Burden III Looking Like a True WR1 in OTAs With Bears

Thursday, June 4, 5:33 PM

Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III appears to be the one ready to step up after Chicago traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. According to former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, Burden is "doing everything you'd think a No. 1 receiver would do" during OTAs this offseason. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) out of the University of Missouri looks bigger and faster and is playing both inside and outside in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. Johnson even said himself last week that he's "buying Burden stock right now." He finished his rookie year as a real weapon in Chicago's offense, catching 47 of his 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts). Former first-rounder Rome Odunze remains in town, but he may never be the same after heel issues that could continue to be a concern for him. Burden looks like the real deal and is quickly becoming one of the top breakout candidates at the receiver position in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 19 fantasy WR for the 2026 season.

Rashod Bateman vs. Luther Burden III

Still trying to decide between Bateman and Burden III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rashod Bateman is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Luther Burden III is projected to score 0.0 points.