Colston Loveland or Luther Burden III: Who Should You Start?
Preliminary board2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Verdicts sharpen as practice reports land.
Loveland’s TE3 case edges Burden’s clearer receiving role
Loveland gets the narrow nod on his TE3 standing and heavier snap presence, but the model’s 0.48-point edge is thin in a shared Chicago offense. The concern is that his snaps haven’t translated into receiving work: SI.com (Bears On SI) 2026-09-22 reports that blocking has been his primary role. Burden’s target involvement and manufactured-touch YAC ability make him the more convincing current receiver, so Loveland’s call depends on his status carrying more weight than his recent usage. Philadelphia’s position splits offer no dependable tiebreaker in two-game samples with zero confidence.
What flips it: Loveland returning to a genuine route-running, target-earning role.
Sources: SI.com (Bears On SI) · Sep 22, 2026
AI editor
Colston Loveland
5.97.99.9 Projected Points
Luther Burden III
6.99.211.6 Projected Points
Colston Loveland’s market
Luther Burden III’s market
Why Colston Loveland
StartTE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Seam-stretching move tight end with flex alignment and rising target volume.
Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE3: PHI is the 2nd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.0 implied team total.
- TE3 consensus gives Loveland a ceiling argument if Chicago restores the pass-catching mismatch described in his bio.
- His heavier snap presence keeps him in the lead if those snaps start producing routes and targets.
Latest on Loveland
Loveland has been almost invisible through two games with just one catch for three yards on five targets, and his primary role has instead been as a blocker, including being responsible for the block on the game-ending sack allowed against Minnesota.
SI.com (Bears On SI) · Sep 22, 2026When even the "little guys" are getting a hat on a hat, it's that much easier to post 59 points and over 500 yards.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Luther Burden III
Toss-UpWR2 and outside starter opposite Rome Odunze. Explosive yards-after-catch threat with manufactured-touch usage.
Toss-up — WR27 consensus, projects WR29 this week: 24.0 implied team total, 21% target share.
- Burden’s manufactured touches suit an explosive YAC role that can turn limited chances into a big play.
- His current receiving role is more evident than Loveland’s, whose snaps have largely been spent blocking.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Colston Loveland | Luther Burden III |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 5.97.99.9 | 6.99.211.6 |
| Consensus rank | TE3 | WR27 |
| Opponent vs position | PHI · 2 of 322-game sample | PHI · 12 of 322-game sample |
| Receptions | 3 of 32 | 7 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 2 of 32 | 14 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 of 32 | 15 of 32 |
| Targets | 3 of 32 | 7 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 15 of 32 |
| Target share | 9% | 21% |
| Reception share | 2% | 20% |
| Implied total · spread | 24.0-1.5 | 24.0-1.5 |
| Depth chart | TE1 | WR2 |
| Snap share | 87% | 65% |
| Start/Sit record | — | 0–1 |
Recent form
Colston Loveland — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs MIN | 0.30.81.3 |
| Week 1 | vs CAR | 0.00.00.0 |
Luther Burden III — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs MIN | 3.24.76.2 |
| Week 1 | vs CAR | 4.57.09.5 |
Signal breakdown
- 9.9 vs 11.6 projected PPR pointsLuther Burden III +
- Rank 3 vs 27Colston Loveland +
- Opponent DvP rank 2 vs 12 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 24.0 vs 24.0 team pointseven
- No injury designationseven
- 87% vs 65% snap shareColston Loveland +
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