NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ offense hasn’t had too many breakout players worth writing home about in recent years, so it should come as no surprise that there hasn’t been much to discuss from a fantasy perspective either.
But things are going to be different in 2018 thanks to Jordan Howard and Allen Robinson, both of whom land among the 30 best players in the NFL’s official fantasy football top-50 rankings:
Back in May, ESPN’s Mike Clay shared his Bears projections for the 2018 season and you could see why there would be some excitement from a fantasy perspective. And it all starts with Mitch Trubisky, whom Clay has throwing for more than 3,900 yards with 23 touchdowns.
That would certainly help Robinson secure a strong fantasy year. Robinson is projected to be targeted 137 times, haul in 73 passes, 1,046 yards, and seven touchdowns. In a points-per-reception league, Robinson would post a 220-point season that would rank him as the 17th best fantasy receiver.
Having a competent passing game should help Howard in picking up some chunks of yards on the ground. Clay’s projection has Howard rushing 240 times, gaining 1,025 yards, and scoring seven touchdowns. Howard is also projected to add 25 catches (and a 75.8% catch rate), 197 receiving yards, and a score. In total, 192 fantasy points from the Bears’ lead running back would rank him 21st at his position in a PPR league.
Both Howard and Robinson have been fantasy standouts at their respective positions, though not necessarily stars. Robinson flashed WR1 potential in 2015 when he caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, but took a step back a year later in 2016, and missed all but three snaps of the 2017 season. Howard was a breakout player as a rookie in 2016 as he rushed for 1,313 yards after starting the season as the third-string back. And even though Howard put together another 1,000-yard rushing year in his second season, his overall production slipped. But still … I feel as if putting both of these guys on the same team will result in them playing off each other and putting up huge numbers for the Bears (and your fantasy team).
Because the Bears’ offense hasn’t had much firepower or creativity in recent years, there hasn’t been much to write about from a fantasy perspective. In fact, I’d go as far to say the Bears have been mostly irrelevant in the fantasy football world the last few years.
However, a change at head coach and throughout the offensive staff are changing the perception of what Bears football (at least, on the offensive side of the ball) can be.
