Who Should I Start? Ricky Pearsall or Luther Burden III

Wednesday, August 6, 7:34 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has been "nearly unstoppable" during training camp practices in recent days, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. San Francisco may be leaning heavily on Pearsall to open 2025 with fellow wideouts Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf) both battling injuries. A first-round pick in 2024, Pearsall recorded 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games as a rookie. The 49ers should also heavily feature tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey in the passing game, but Pearsall is undoubtedly the team's WR1 while Aiyuk and Jennings are sidelined.

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.