Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chris Godwin Jr. vs Luther Burden IIIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chris Godwin Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.4 PPG to Luther Burden III's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chris Godwin Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Chris Godwin Jr. edges Luther Burden III by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Chris Godwin Jr. goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#54PPG LEADER

Chris Godwin Jr.

PPG

7.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

WRChicago Bears#60

Luther Burden III

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

652

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Chris Godwin Jr.

Luther Burden III

Head to Head

7.4 PPG7.0 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Chris Godwin Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #54 at the position). Luther Burden III: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #60 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Chris Godwin Jr. is producing at 34% of elite pace and Luther Burden III at 32%. That ranking gap means Chris Godwin Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chris Godwin Jr. vs Luther Burden III: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Chris Godwin Jr. finished the 2025 season at 7.4 PPG over 9 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Luther Burden III clocked in at 7.0 across 15 appearances for the Chicago Bears. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Chris Godwin Jr. turned 51 targets into 360 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Luther Burden III converted 60 looks into 652 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 10 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Chris Godwin Jr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Luther Burden III (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Chris Godwin Jr. outscored Luther Burden III by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Luther Burden III played 15 games in 2025 compared to Chris Godwin Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Luther Burden III contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chris Godwin Jr. scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Luther Burden III saw 60 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Luther Burden III is 8 years younger than Chris Godwin Jr. (22 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chris Godwin Jr. vs Luther Burden III: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chris Godwin Jr.	Luther Burden III
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.4	7.0
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	67	105
Receptions	33	47
Rec/Game	3.7	3.1
Receiving Yards	360	652
Rec Yds/Game	40.0	43.5
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	51	60
Target Share/Game	5.7	4.0
Age	30	22
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Chris Godwin Jr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.4 points per game. Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chris Godwin Jr. or Luther Burden III in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chris Godwin Jr. has the edge at 7.4 PPG compared to Luther Burden III's 7.0 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Chris Godwin Jr. and Luther Burden III average in 2025?▾

Chris Godwin Jr. averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

Do Chris Godwin Jr. and Luther Burden III share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Chris Godwin Jr. and Luther Burden III share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Chris Godwin Jr. or Luther Burden III a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Chris Godwin Jr. outscored Luther Burden III by 0.4 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.