Overall Fantasy Impact: Below Average
Offensive Outlook: How could a team that was in the Super Bowl two years ago be this hapless offensively?
The truth is that even in that 2006 run, the Bears were fueled by defense and special teams, while the offense just had to stay out of the way.
It’s likely the Bears will try that formula again, meaning that their Fantasy prospects are just this side of atrocious. Don’t expect much help at all here.
QUARTERBACKS: It’s almost not even worth it to debate the relative merits of Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton, because neither will be of any help to you fantasy-wise.
Grossman wasted any goodwill he had amassed during the Super Bowl season with an awful performance last year. Orton, replaced by Grossman late in the ‘05 campaign, might get the chance to prove that he’s improved since then.
Whoever wins the job should be no more than a 3rd fantasy quarterback; whoever doesn’t should remain in the free agent pool.
RUNNING BACKS: The Bears whiffed big-time by drafting Cedric Benson, and now their running game, usually a source of pride, is in shambles. Second-rounder Matt Forte will likely get the first call. He put up big-numbers at Tulane, but it’s safe to say that the NFC North won’t be so cooperative as the defenses he faced there. Still, if he holds on to the job over recently-signed Kevin Jones, he’ll make a worthy third back simply based on playing time alone.
Injuries doomed Jones in Detroit after a solid rookie season. He deserves a look because he has a knack for the end zone (8 TDs last year) even though he never got many carries in Mike Martz’s pass-happy Lions offense. If he can stay on the field, his experience edge gives him an outside chance to win the job to start the season. Adrian Peterson added some value as a receiver last year (51 catches), but the Bears might want to see more of second-year man Garrett Wolfe as a third-down back this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: Marty Booker was a 1,000-yard receiver in Chicago in 2001 and 2002, but that was many miles ago. He’ll be 32 at the start of the season, and he’s shown little punch recently (just 576 yards and 1 TD last year in Miami.) By default, he’ll be Chicago’s go-to receiver, but he probably isn’t even in the Fantasy Top 50 at the position. Brandon Lloyd’s promising career derailed in Washington, but he’ll get a chance to start in Chicago. He’s not worth a look either.
Mark Bradley can’t stay healthy, and Rashied Davis hasn’t been effective. The most intriguing of the Bears wideouts for fantasy purposes is Devin Hester. Still learning the position, he showed some potential last season, and his return heroics tell you all need to know about his big-play ability (12 return TDs in the last two years.) If your league gives points for individual return TDs, grab him as a fourth receiver. If not, you should still keep an eye on his offensive progress.
Greg Olsen couldn’t stay healthy as a rookie, giving veteran Desmond Clark the opportunity to have his second straight solid season at tight end. The pair combined for 936 yards and 6 scores last year, which shows that the Bears utilize the position well. It also means that if the talented Olsen does stay injury-free and starts to make the majority of those catches, he could be a real fantasy factor.