2016 Fantasy Football Team Preview: Chicago Bears

 

2015 Fantasy Recap

The Bears were plagued by injuries in 2015, making for a long season for both their fans and fantasy owners. Their receiving group was bone dry at points last year with names such as Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and rookie Kevin White all injured at some point. We did witness the emergence of a potential stud running back in Jeremy Langford, so that’ll be something to look forward to in 2016. Overall, if this team could just stay healthy then they could be a force to be reckoned with within the fantasy community for this upcoming season!

Key Additions and Losses

Additions:

• Danny Trevathan
• Sam Acho
• Akiem Hicks
• Bryan Hoyer

Losses:

• Martellus Bennett

QuarterBack Fantasy Outlook

Jay Cutler is far from a sure-fire QB1 from a fantasy standpoint but he’s not a terrible streaming option, honestly. In 2015, Cutler completed 64.4 percent of his passing attempts for 3,659 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He finished the season with 217 total fantasy points based on ESPN’s standard scoring format and is projected to finish as the 25th best quarterback for this season. Cutler has never thrown for over 30 touchdowns in a season and has only amassed 4,000 passing yards just once in his career.

With a much better offensive line in front of him, maybe Cutler will surprise some of us all this year. I’m not going to hold my breath or anything but it’d be nice to have him as a late-round sleeper option. Other than Cutler, Chicago signed free agent quarterback Bryan Hoyer this off-season. Hoyer is a journeyman quarterback, who has had success in the league. So, if Cutler goes down with an injury, Hoyer could be a sneaky guy to pick up in your leagues.

Grade: C+

 Running Back Fantasy Outlook

The running back spot was absolutely stacked for the Bears last season with both Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford in the rotation. Now, with Forte in New York, the starting gig is Langford’s to lose, so I’m expecting a big year from the young back. In 2015, he started just two games for the Bears but was super productive in those starts. Last year, Langford rushed the ball 148 times for 537 yards and six scores. He also caught 22 balls for 279 yards and a touchdown for Chicago last season.

Langford is an ultra powerful running back, who will be a goal line threat every single game for Chicago. There are other decent backs on the roster such as Ka’Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers but I’m more interested in their rookie Jordan Howard. Howard played at both Indiana University and the University of Alabama-Birmingham for three seasons. Over those three years, he rushed the ball 647 times for 3,681 yards and nine scores. Over the last two seasons, Howard has rushed for 1,200+ yards and scored 9+ touchdowns, so he does have the ability to be a big-time player.

Grade: C+

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

I’m going to say that the wide receiver spot may be the one that I’m most excited about from this Bears team. First of all, Alshon Jeffery is an absolute stud of a receiver that has the ability to be a game-changer for our lineups. Last season, he only started eight games, catching 54 passes on a whopping 94 targets and scored four touchdowns. His biggest issue is his keen ability to develop soft tissue injuries. For that reason, Jeffery is always a risky draft pick for your lineups but his explosive abilities out weight any thoughts of him getting injured.

One other receiver that I can’t wait to see play in 2016 is Kevin White. White missed his entire rookie season with Chicago due to an injury to his leg. In his Senior season at West Virgina, he caught 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. Playing second fiddle to Jeffery should pay high dividends to White because their will be plenty of single coverage on him. Chicago also has a PPR machine in Eddie Royal, who should fit in well in the slot for the Bears. Like the other Chicago receivers, Royal dealt with his fair share of injuries in 2015 as well.

Grade: B-

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

The tight end spot in Chicago is kind of intriguing for me. Martellus Bennett is now in New England, making more room for some Zach Miller action! Last season, Miller started 14 games for the Bears, which was the most in his career. In 2015, he caught 34 balls on 46 targets for 439 yards and five touchdowns. He’s a big-bodied, athletic tight end who could very well be a breakout star at his position. Last season, was his best one yet and I think he’ll easily surpass those totals in 2016. Miller will be the third option among this group of Bears receivers, so his ceiling is still relatively low but he’s worth a look in your drafts.

Grade: C-

Defensive Fantasy Outlook

This Chicago defense was one of the worst in the league in 2015, finishing 28th overall according to ESPN standard scoring. As of right now, the Bears are projected to be the 21st best fantasy defense by ESPN, making them a better option in 2016. I’m predicting that this squad does have the ability to break the Top-20 in a standard scoring league, so I’m a little higher on them than most.

With linebackers such as Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, this defense will much better this year. With Akiem Hicks up front, this defensive line should be a force to be reckoned with this year also. The one potential area that this defense could suffer at is in their secondary. Besides Adrian Amos and Kyle Fuller, there really isn’t anyone else within this secondary who scares anyone.

Grade: C+

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