Trey Burton figures to be one of Mitch Trubisky’s favorite targets next season, and the Chicago Bears’ newest tight end is about to be your favorite late-round sleeper when it’s time to get your fantasy football team together:
Trey Burton finished 2017 No. 4 in fantasy points per opportunity among all TEs. And he logged only 31.9% of the snap share. Locked into the Kelce role in Nagy's offense, he will turn the handsomest profit of any TE in fantasy this year. His ADP: 102.9. He's why you dodge Gronk.
Burton has some considerable upside now that he’ll get a majority of the playing time since he will no longer be buried on the depth chart. He caught 74.2 percent of the passes thrown in his direction and didn’t have issues with drops. Reliable hands and a knowledge of the offense should make him a factor on the gridiron … which makes him a potential impact player in the fantasy world.
There were two games in which Burton was given at least 50 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in 2017. The first came in a 51-23 win against the Denver Broncos, where he caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. The other came in a 43-35 win against the Rams that really put him on our radar. Burton caught five of six targets for 71 yards and two touchdowns. He was filling in for Zach Ertz and that high-powered Eagles offense didn’t miss a beat. Just check out these highlights.
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
This film review really gives you something to dream on:
Burton isn’t the only Bears player looking to make the most of an increase in playing time. There is hope that outside linebacker Isaiah Irving hopes can make moves at a position where the Bears could use a real boost. “We like a lot of the things that he brings to the table,” Outside Linebackers Coach Brandon Staley told the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. “He can rush, he is outstanding in the run game, heavy-handed, he can move his feet really well in pass coverage.”
Irving didn’t get much playing time last year, but showed some real grit by making the climb from undrafted free agent and landing on the practice squad after preseason to earning a promotion to the active 53-man roster. Considering the question-marks at the position, Irving has a real shot at carving out a niche for himself.
Perhaps Aaron Lynch’s hamstring injury opens the door for Irving to make an impact. Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio seemed encouraged with where Lynch was as a player during the offseason training program. However, suffering a second injury during the offseason makes Lynch something of a wild card. He is on a one-year “prove it” deal, and while he is expected to be back at full strength when training camp begins, he could find himself in a battle with some young guys looking to make a name for themselves.
On the other side of the formation, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune writes that Leonard Floyd is expected to be a “full go” for the Bears when training camp rolls around. The Bears are playing it safe with Floyd after his 2017 season ended with an injured MCL and PCL, but his recent participation in practice was truly a highlight. That Floyd is also looking to take on a leadership role on top of what he already does is equally as encouraging as his prognosis. If Floyd is healthy and efficient, the arrow on defense’s potential start’s pointing way up.
Speaking of outside linebackers, there’s been a bit of a roster shuffle:
In addition to the team’s signing of Kasim Edebali, which we touched on Thursday, the team also added fellow outside linebacker Josh Woods. Like Edebali, Woods signs on after impressing the Bears at a recent minicamp tryout. Woods is a rookie who played his college ball at Maryland, where he was a safety who came up with 62 tackles and two interceptions in nine starts.
OK, choose wisely:
All three have played under @ChicagoBears HC Matt Nagy.
If it wasn’t for the Bears’ Twitter account, I wouldn’t know about things like #NationalBestFriendsDay. So enjoy today with your best friends … I think that’s what this is all about:
Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d type: Check out a rap video made by Bears players Josh Bellamy and Cre’von LeBlanc. Though, do so with caution because the lyrics are quite NSFW:
With mandatory minicamp officially in the rear-view mirror, there is now some time for some Bears players to put their feet up and relax after a busy offseason training period:
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...
For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...
The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...
Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...
Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....
'Tis the season for dot-connecting. And if you are a Chicago Bears fan, you might want to keep tabs on what is happening between your favorite team's current first and ninth picks. ESPN's Adam Schefter names the Arizona Cardinals and...
The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....
Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" played in a loop in my head on Monday as I thought about the Chicago Bears strolling into Halas Hall to start the offseason training program. This is what it looked like...
Chop Robinson is more than a cool name. He was also a productive edge defender for the Penn State Nittany Lions. And, today, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Chop Robinson is visiting with the Chicago Bears — today. That's...
We're adding Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to the list of players who are coming down to Halas Hall for a top-30 visit with the Chicago Bears. Chris Emma has the scoop on the Texas Tech defensive back's upcoming trip to the greater...
New users can score a BetMGM bonus code right now for a $1,500 first bet offer in legal states. Check out today's MLB odds, NBA futures, and more as you look to make your first bet. BetMGM Sportsbook Promo Code...
The Los Angeles Rams got hot to end the 2023 season to reach the playoffs before being knocked out in the Wild Card Round. Now, they focus on the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the team's selections for this year's...
Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....
Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...
The Houston Texans were one of the huge surprises of the 2023 season as they reached the playoffs and now they look to build on their success in the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the Texans' full list of draft...
The Boston Red Sox (10-9), led by Connor Wong on a two-game home run streak, are -121 favorites on the moneyline to defeat the Cleveland Guardians (12-6). First pitch is set for 1:35 PM ET Thursday, live from Fenway Park...
The MLB's five-game slate today is not one to miss. The outings include the Cleveland Guardians taking on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.Searching for MLB player prop bets for today's games? This article includes MLB player props for...
The Detroit Tigers (10-8) and Texas Rangers (10-9) meet Thursday at Comerica Park, with first pitch at 1:10 PM ET on MLB Network. The Tigers are -111 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Rangers are favored against the spread...
The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) are favorites (-155) on the moneyline when they take on the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) Thursday at 1:10 PM ET, live on BSSUN.Ryan Pepiot will get the ball for Tampa Bay while Los Angeles will...
The Boston Red Sox (10-9) face the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) at home at 1:35 PM ET on Thursday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Red Sox will send Brennan Bernardino (0-1) to the mound, while Carlos Carrasco (0-1) will...
NEWSLETTER
