Jay Cutler and the Bears look to improve on a disappointing 5-11 record last season (Getty).
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Of all the teams that finished outside the playoff race in 2014, the Bears had by far the most fantasy appeal. Playing in Marc Trestman’s spread offense, Jay Cutler had a plethora of options at his disposal. In the end, Cutler checked down to Matt Forte 130 times and the Bears were a mediocre offense. So sad.
To fix the problem, Chicago cleaned house. New General Manager Ryan Pace tweaked everything in the offseason, from spending his first round pick on burner Kevin White to signing ten new players on defense. The latter was important, as Chicago surrendered 27.6 points per game last year, the second-most in the NFL behind Oakland. On offense, this may be Jay Cutler’s last year to prove he’s the right man in Chicago. Cutler’s got all the weapons, but indecisiveness and bad reactions to pressure contributed to Chicago’s downfall last year. Still, he’s got the skills and playmakers to turn it around with John Fox calling the shots.
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Here’s the best Bears for your team:
1: Matt Forte, RB
Matt Forte hauled in over 100 passes last year, but that should change under John Fox (Getty).
All hail the undisputed king of PPR. Forte was a beast out of the backfield last year, catching an absurd 102 passes on 130 targets. Those numbers are a direct result of Marc Trestman and won’t continue into next year, but it proves that Forte is talented enough to drive the offense and durable enough to sustain it for the whole season. Forte played every game for the second consecutive season, and has missed just five games in his seven year career.
Forte won’t be the same PPR champion he was last year, nor will he get the same amount of snaps. John Fox is the Godfather of running back-by-committee, so expect to see more of Ka’Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rogers than ever before. Forte is still an elite back and will go in the first round, but it’s safe to let somebody else have him for 2015.
2: Alshon Jeffrey, WR
With the departure of veteran Brandon Marshall, all eyes are now on Jeffrey (Getty).
Still listed as the number two receiver, Jeffrey put up first-rate numbers in 2014. Battling injuries along with Brandon Marshall, Jeffrey toughed it out to the tune of 85 catches and over 1,100 yards. The catch and yard totals were down from 2013, but Jeffrey’s ten TDs were the first double-digit output of his young career. Blessed with all the necessary traits, the speedy Jeffrey inherits the starting role in 2015, which should increase his targets, especially in the red zone.
Chicago’s new OC is Adam Gase, who was calling plays for Peyton Manning in Denver the previous two seasons. While Gase is working with a slightly diffferent quarterback, Jeffrey should assume the role of Demaryius Thomas in the Bears new offense. If that’s the case, Jeffrey should be worth as high as a third round pick this year.
3: Martellus Bennet, TE
Once considered an afterthought, Bennet had a breakout year in 2014. He set new career highs in targets, catches, yards, and touchdowns. His 90 catches eclipsed the previous mark by 25 catches. Bennet at times was the most effective part of the Chicago offense, a big body who can’t be covered by safeties but can outrun linebackers with ease.
Bennet will no longer be flying under the fantasy radar in 2015. He’s starting on someone’s team, even if it’s unlikely he surpasses his 2014 totals. Still, Cutler loves Bennet as a security blanket, especially inside the 20. Bennet will go somewhere around the sixth round this year, only after the other top TEs (Gronk, Graham) have been taken.
4: Jay Cutler, QB
Now 32, Cutler’s seat is hot in his seventh season in Chicago (Getty).
Cutler may have fallen from the ranks of the NFL’s elite, but he’s still got a rocket arm and throws a gang of touchdowns. Everybody’s favorite moody quarterback scored 3 or more touchdowns five times last season, a solid number for a backup fantasy QB. Jay finished with 28 passing touchdowns, the best total of his nine-year career. Cutler was also a decent trade chip last season, as everyone respects his skill but understands his capacity to make mistakes.
Minimizing those mistakes will be the key for Cutler in 2015. If he can play smart and within the lines of Adam Gase’s offense, he should make the 30 TD club for the first time in his career. Few quarterbacks have better skill players around them, so if Cutler doesn’t win games right away, Bears fans may begin to call for his replacement.
5: Kevin White, WR
Seventh overall pick Kevin White has yet to make his training camp debut (Getty).
As it currently stands, the future of Kevin White is a mystery. Chicago took a big chance on White, snagging the star from West Virgina with the seventh overall pick of the 2015 Draft. But sometime in offseason minicamp, White injured his shin and hasn’t been on the field since. What’s worse, John Fox and coaches are being shady as to not only when White will return, but what the extent of his injury actually is. White, who ran a 4.35 at the combine, will be an instant upgrade to the Bears offense once he suits up.
If the injury was serious, White would’ve had surgery or placed on the PUP list. It’s frustrating that Bears coaches aren’t sharing any details, but it’s too early to tell if they’re being coy or just embarrassed as to how White became injured. Either way, White is a freak athlete who should be picked up as soon as he’s cleared for practice. If that sounds familiar, the same situation worked out pretty well for Odell Beckham last season.