The DJ Moore trade benefits everyone, including the players he left behind in Chicago. With Moore out of the picture, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland all figure to see an uptick in target volume heading into 2026. Let’s break down what it means for each of them in fantasy football.
Why Dynasty Managers Should Hold Rome Odunze but Sell Luther Burden
2025 was supposed to be the breakout year. Instead, Odunze averaged just 12.2 fantasy points per game. He managed six games of 15 or more fantasy points all season. Four of those came in the first four weeks, and then things stalled.
Odunze also battled injuries that he did not allow adequate time to heal, which complicates the evaluation. It is difficult to distinguish between “disappointing player” and “compromised player.” The optimistic read is that a healthy Odunze with Moore’s targets partially absorbed into his role is a different animal.
That optimism is cautious. The disappointing 2025 season carries real weight with dynasty managers, and a big selling opportunity is unlikely to materialize, as the market will price in that uncertainty. The prudent move here is to hold until a clearer signal develops.
Burden is the more interesting fantasy conversation coming out of this trade. He finished his rookie season with 47 catches for 652 yards and 2 touchdowns on 60 targets, with much of his production backloaded.
Burden’s 8-138-1 game against the 49ers in Week 17 was genuinely electric. But he did not catch more than three passes in any of his three games after that and played just 63% and 53% of the snaps in the Bears’ two playoff games. He also could not consistently earn playing time over Olamide Zaccheaus until November. Those are flags that deserve acknowledgment.
The dynasty community will react to this trade by bidding Burden up. That is precisely when dynasty managers should consider selling.
Wide receivers who total around 650 yards as rookies fall into a bucket that rarely produces consistent WR1 or WR2 fantasy contributors. There are exceptions, and Burden has genuine talent. But the perceived value in the market right now is very likely outpacing the actual value. If someone makes you a strong offer this week, listen.
Colston Loveland’s Rookie Breakout Signals Elite Dynasty TE Potential
Loveland posted legitimately impressive rookie season numbers: 58 catches for 713 yards and 6 touchdowns on 82 targets. He was also the Bears’ leading receiver by season’s end and ranked as the TE2 in fantasy from Week 9 forward, trailing only Trey McBride.
The rookie Bears TE was not waiting for Moore to leave. He had already carved out a featured role in this offense.
With Moore gone, the targets available to the wide receivers increase, which in turn should keep the defense honest and open up more favorable matchups for Loveland underneath. He is clearly a top-five dynasty tight end, and this trade does not hurt him in the slightest.
Moore’s departure is a rare deal that works for everyone involved. Moore gets a real quarterback.
The Bears’ young pass-catchers get more room to operate. Odunze is a hold. Loveland remains firmly entrenched as a dynasty-building block. And Burden is the name to watch on the trade market this week, not because he is a bad player, but because the market is almost certainly going to overreact in his favor.
