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Luther Burden III vs Ryan FlournoyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ryan Flournoy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Luther Burden III's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ryan Flournoy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ryan Flournoy and Luther Burden III are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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WRChicago Bears#60
Luther Burden III
PPG
7.0
Games
15
Rec
47
Rec Yds
652
Rec TDs
2
Targets
60
Bye
Week 10
WRDallas Cowboys#55PPG LEADER
Ryan Flournoy
PPG
7.2
Games
13
Rec
40
Rec Yds
475
Rec TDs
4
Targets
56
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Luther Burden III
Ryan Flournoy

Head to Head

7.0 PPG7.2 PPG
15 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Luther Burden III: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #60 at the position). Ryan Flournoy: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #55 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Luther Burden III is producing at 32% of elite pace and Ryan Flournoy at 33%. That ranking gap means Ryan Flournoy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Luther Burden III vs Ryan Flournoy: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Luther Burden III and Ryan Flournoy is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 PPG with the Chicago Bears across 15 games, and Ryan Flournoy posted 7.2 with the Dallas Cowboys in 13.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Luther Burden III turned 60 targets into 652 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ryan Flournoy converted 56 looks into 475 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Luther Burden III has his bye in Week 10, and Ryan Flournoy rests in Week 14. 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

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: Luther Burden III (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Ryan Flournoy (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Ryan Flournoy outscored Luther Burden III by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Luther Burden III played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ryan Flournoy's 13. That durability gap means Luther Burden III contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ryan Flournoy scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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 4 years younger than Ryan Flournoy (22 vs 26), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Luther Burden III vs Ryan Flournoy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatLuther Burden IIIRyan Flournoy
PPG (Half-PPR)7.07.2
Games Played1513
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10594
Receptions4740
Rec/Game3.13.1
Receiving Yards652475
Rec Yds/Game43.536.5
Receiving TDs24
Targets6056
Target Share/Game4.04.3
Age2226
Experience-1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ryan Flournoy at 7.2 PPG, 0.2 points per game above Luther Burden III's 7.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Luther Burden III or Ryan Flournoy in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ryan Flournoy has the edge at 7.2 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 Luther Burden III and Ryan Flournoy average in 2025?

Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ryan Flournoy averaged 7.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Luther Burden III and Ryan Flournoy's bye weeks in 2026?

Luther Burden III (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Ryan Flournoy (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Luther Burden III or Ryan Flournoy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ryan Flournoy outscored Luther Burden III by 0.2 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.