QB Caleb Williams
(2025 QB Rank - No 8, 21.3 FPts/G
Behind the guidance and scheme of Head Coach Ben Johnson, and
several rookie standouts, Williams and the Bears offense took
a major leap forward in 2025. Williams set career highs in yardage
(3942) and touchdowns (27), and looks to be on track to being
the franchise quarterback Chicago has been desperate for.
Despite the solid final fantasy numbers, there continues to be
a number of red flags in Williams' game that need to be addressed.
His catchable ball rate, and completion percentage (58.1) remain
well below acceptable standards, and he and the offense relied
way too much on "hero ball" and scramble drill production. Early
in the season he looked very uncomfortable in the offense, too
often bailing on a play before it developed. On the back of miracles,
and an extremely favorable turnover advantage the Bears made the
playoffs in an incredibly tough division, so in order to build
on team, and personal success, Williams must make mechanical and
schematic adjustments.
I continue to believe in the talent profile and weapons at his
disposal. Between those factors and rushing upside, I'm happy
to have Williams as a solid QB1 in all formats.
RB D'Andre
Swift
(2025 RB Rank - No. 13, 12.4 FPts/G)
Swift enjoyed a career year with Chicago last season, setting
highs in rushing yardage (1087) and touchdowns (9). Deployed as
the 1a in the backfield with teammate Kyle Monangai, Swift's overall
metrics jived with his play on the field. He looked explosive,
elusive, and remained the featured receiving back in an offense
that doesn't send much passing volume to the running backs.
Coming up on his final year with the Bears, look for Chicago
to once again utilize a two-headed backfield. The presence of
Monangai certainly caps his upside, but also keep an eye on the
effect of the retirement of center Drew Dalman. Dalman was the
7th rated Pro Football Focus run blocker at the center position
and this is a vitally important role in the Ben Johnson scheme.
He was replaced in a trade with Garrett Bradbury, who is a significant
run blocking downgrade.
Short of an injury to Monangai, look for Swift to see in the
range of 250 touches, and at least half of the redzone work as
a lower end RB2.
RB Kyle Monangai
(2025 RB Rank - No. 31, 7.3 FPts/G)
Coach Ben Johnson brought his two-headed backfield monster over
from Detroit and found the perfect complement to D'Andre Swift
in 7th round rookie Kyle Monangai. Short on elite measurables,
Monangai nonetheless showed balance, toughness, and a supreme
grasp of the scheme, making him one of the most impactful final
round draft picks in recent memory. Not particularly explosive,
or a threat in the passing game, Monangai is just a solid football
player capable of a full workload if necessary. In his lone start
for an injured Swift last season in Week 9, Monongai carried the
ball 26 times for 176 yards.
And here lies the conundrum. As long as Swift is upright, he
remains the main starter. Much like David Montgomery took a back
seat to the talent of Jamyr Gibbs, Monangai is going to need Swift
to go down to see more than RB3-level volume. If I was taking
shares of this backfield, I'd wait and snag Monangai, as he presents
the better potential value.
WR Rome Odunze
(2025 WR Rank - No. 37, 8.5 FPts/G)
Odunze's 2025 season went from blockbuster to tragedy after an
October foot injury derailed his momentum. After erupting for
five touchdowns over the first four games, Odunze looked the part
of a former top-10 pick. Unfortunately, the injury, and an inability
to establish a reliable connection with his quarterback, tanked
his fantasy value, rendering him basically unusable the remainder
of the season.
Unfortunately, the spectre of the foot injury looms over 2026
after early summer comments from Odunze. This, combined with the
Luther Burden III hype train, leaves Odunze in a precocious fantasy
position. With D.J. Moore shipped off to Buffalo, 86 targets have
been vacated. Whomever gets a majority of those will likely be
the better pick. In reality, the choice comes down to format.
Due to his size and contested catch ability, Odunze is the choice
in standard leagues. In half or PPR leagues, Burden and his YAC
ability have the upper hand. Keep a close on training camp participation,
as proven health should give Odunze sneaky WR2 value in a solid
offense.
WR Luther Burden III
(2025 WR Rank - No. 49, 5.4 FPts/G)
After a slow start, featuring a few brief flashes, Burden looked
the part in the final quarter of the season when Rome Odunze missed
time with a foot injury. The elite separation, and YAC ability
popped off the screen in the pros just as it did when he was at
Missouri. His 2025 finish, athletic pedigree, and unknown health
of Odunze have led to the Burden hype train leaving the station.
With D.J. Moore gone, the targets in this passing game have been
consolidated, and there's no doubt Burden should easily surpass
the 47 receptions he saw in his rookie year. His speed and agility
give him homerun potential on each reception, but he'll need that,
as Chicago has superior options closer to the redzone.
Ultimately, Burden is certainly in a smash spot for 2026, but
it's going to take Caleb Williams making a quantum leap in efficiency
to get Burden into a WR1 spot. For now, especially in PPR leagues,
add Burden as a high upside WR2 that has league winning potential
if everything breaks his way.
TE Colston Loveland
(2025 TE Rank - No. 10, 6.7 FPts/G)
There was hardly a more impressive rookie down the stretch of
last season. While fellow first round tight end Ty Warren was
stealing the show for most of 2025, it was Loveland who carried
the Bears, and many fantasy owners to playoff glory. Loveland
saw a massive 48 targets over the final four games last season,
including two scores and three games above 90 yards. Both in the
red zone and deep down the seam, his speed and athletic ability
made him nearly impossible to cover, and he proved to be Caleb
Williams's most reliable target.
After developing Sam LaPorta in Detroit, Ben Johnson is not afraid
to make the tight end position a major part of the passing game.
With an elite athletic profile, and the trust of both his coach
and QB, Loveland builds off of his solid rookie year, and cements
himself as an annual fantasy star. In the end I think Loveland
battles McBride and Bowers for overall TE1 honors.
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