Who Should I Start? Troy Franklin or Luther Burden III

Friday, January 9, 3:12 PM

Across 17 games in 2025, Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin recorded 65 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns on 104 targets. While Franklin's full-season numbers are solid, his production and role in the Denver offense faded over the second half of the year. The 22-year-old recorded just four receptions for 17 yards on five targets across his final two games of the regular season, including a zero-catch performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. Franklin also played more than 53% of the Broncos' offensive snaps just once in six games following the team's Week 12 bye, losing playing time in favor of rookie wideout Pat Bryant. Denver has a bye through the first round of the AFC playoffs, so it's not yet clear who Franklin's first matchup will be. However, Franklin's diminished role in the Broncos' passing game could be a reason for fantasy managers in playoff leagues to avoid him.

Saturday, January 10, 12:59 PM

Across 15 games in 2025, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III recorded 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. The 22-year-old played his best football of the year down the stretch, recording 21 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown on 26 targets over his final four contests. However, all four of those performances came with fellow Bears wideout Rome Odunze sidelined by a foot injury. Odunze will return for the team's Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Green Bay Packers, which could lead to fewer opportunities for Burden III. The Packers were also one of the NFL's better pass defenses in the regular season, ranking sixth in the league in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.4). However, Burden III's explosive upside is difficult to overlook. Entering the postseason, Burden III profiles as the most attractive wide receiver option on the Bears roster for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.