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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Cooper Kupp vs Luther Burden IIIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Luther Burden III's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy play this season.

Cooper Kupp is the better play on a neutral week. 10.8 PPG with 748 yards gives a reliable baseline. Luther Burden III at 7.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Cooper Kupp higher, but do not fade Luther Burden III entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER
Cooper Kupp
PPG
10.8
Games
12
Rec
62
Rec Yds
748
Rec TDs
5
Targets
92
Bye
Week 6
WRChicago Bears#60
Luther Burden III
PPG
7.0
Games
15
Rec
47
Rec Yds
652
Rec TDs
2
Targets
60
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cooper Kupp
Luther Burden III

Head to Head

10.8 PPG7.0 PPG
12 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Kupp: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Luther Burden III: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #60 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cooper Kupp is producing at 49% of elite pace and Luther Burden III at 32%. That ranking gap means Luther Burden III carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Kupp vs Luther Burden III: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Cooper Kupp and Luther Burden III is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver put up 10.8 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Luther Burden III of the Chicago Bears averaged 7.0 in 15. A 3.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.8 points favors Cooper Kupp, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. Cooper Kupp saw 92 targets in 2025, while Luther Burden III drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Cooper Kupp, even in weeks where Luther Burden III posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Cooper Kupp has his bye in Week 6, and Luther Burden III rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Cooper Kupp is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Luther Burden III is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cooper Kupp (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Luther Burden III (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Cooper Kupp outscored Luther Burden III by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Luther Burden III played 15 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. That durability gap means Luther Burden III contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Cooper Kupp scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Cooper Kupp saw 92 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Kupp vs Luther Burden III: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCooper KuppLuther Burden III
PPG (Half-PPR)10.87.0
Games Played1215
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)130105
Receptions6247
Rec/Game5.23.1
Receiving Yards748652
Rec Yds/Game62.343.5
Receiving TDs52
Targets9260
Target Share/Game7.74.0
Age-22
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 10

Summary

10.8 PPG for Cooper Kupp versus 7.0 for Luther Burden III in 2025. The baseline favors Cooper Kupp, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Kupp or Luther Burden III in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 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 Cooper Kupp and Luther Burden III average in 2025?

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Cooper Kupp and Luther Burden III's bye weeks in 2026?

Cooper Kupp (LAR) has a bye in Week 6, and Luther Burden III (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Kupp or Luther Burden III a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Cooper Kupp outscored Luther Burden III by 3.8 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.

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