Analyze Luther Burden Jr's matchup for week 7
Sit Burden; the Saints’ second-round rookie is still finding his NFL footing and hasn’t shown the target share or route-running polish needed for fantasy relevance in Week 7.
New Orleans’ Luther Burden Jr. enters Week 7 as a talented-but-raw first-year wideout buried on a depth chart that includes established veterans and a timing-based offense still learning his skill set. Without a defined role or red-zone usage through six games, he faces an opponent whose cornerback corps has yet to be revealed but is projected to shadow WR3/4 types, leaving Burden off the weekly fantasy radar.
After a 1,212-yard, 9-TD sophomore explosion at Missouri, Burden’s 2024 dip (676-6) and draft-day slide to 39th overall now carry over to sporadic NFL snaps—13 targets, 7 catches, 68 yards through six weeks.
Rookie wide receivers historically need half a season before earning quarterback trust, and Burden’s profile fits the template: elite burst after the catch but still rounding out his route tree against press coverage. The Saints’ offense under center leans on timing and option routes, demanding chemistry Burden hasn’t yet developed with Derek Carr; his 44% snap share and 8% target rate underscore a developmental plan rather than an immediate fantasy impact. Add in red-zone looks funneled through Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara and 12-personnel sets, and Burden’s path to usable volume is blocked unless injuries strike. Bench him in all redraft formats while monitoring for a second-half breakout once bye weeks thin receiver depth and his snap share climbs above 60%.