Luther Burden Leads in Receptions But Still Has a Zaccheaus Problem

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Burden ran a route on just 13 of Williams' 33 dropbacks (39.4%). That marked barely more than half the work Zaccheaus got (25 routes, 75.8%) as Chicago's No. 3 receiver.

Odunze and Moore remained the positional leaders, running 30 routes.

It was a particularly discouraging lack of development for Burden coming out of the bye. His downfield play paired a nice extension for the grab with an effective run after the catch to maximize available yardage, flashing the talent. And the Bears clearly like him. They drafted him in Round 2.

But HC Ben Johnson also clearly likes Zaccheaus more than you want him to. His route share vs. Washington represented more than just a boost from the 53.6% rate over Chicago's first four games. It was Zaccheaus' largest single-game route rate so far this season.

Burden might flash statistically here and there without significant change to the WR deployment. But he'll need to see more work at the expense of someone among the top three if he's going to become a real lineup option in fantasy.

One new factor coming out of Week 6, though, is D.J. Moore's post-game hospitalization.

The team hasn't revealed as of this writing what put Moore there, and we don't know yet whether it'll affect his Week 7 availability. But missed time for Moore would create an opening for Burden.

Dynasty Impact

If you like the long-term upside on Burden, do a price check to see if his current dynasty manager is overly frustrated with the rookie's role. That could prove especially effective if Burden's current team is contending for this year's title.

Moore's lackluster production through five games helps Burden's chances of delivering as soon as next year, and Zaccheaus' contract runs only through this season.