Thanks for checking out our latest article in our 2021 Team Preview series. We will be breaking down the outlook for teams in 2021, key acquisitions during the off-season and through the 2021 NFL Draft, key losses, and looking at each team from a dynasty perspective. We’ll give you some players to consider buying, selling, stashing, and potential sleeper candidates. Stay tuned for more team breakdowns as we approach the 2021 NFL season. Here is our 2021 Team Preview: Chicago Bears.
2021 Outlook
In 2020, the Bears snuck into the playoffs with a record of 8-8. After a significant change at quarterback and a number of defensive tweaks, Chicago is eyeing the NFC North crown in 2021. This feels like a do-or-die year for head coach Matt Nagy, as they went all-in on Draft day to make a run at another postseason berth. It’s not crazy to think that this team is poised to make some noise in the North.
Key Acquisitions/Losses
Making a Draft day trade to move up and snag a quarterback of the future isn’t uncommon in the NFL, as the Bears did previously for Mitchel Trubisky. Justin Fields follows the trend of mobile quarterbacks taking the lead role for an offense in the ever-changing NFL landscape. Free agent acquisitions of Damiere Byrd, Marquise Goodwin, and Damien Williams bring depth and experience to an offense that was previously lacking both. The return of Tarik Cohen, after a season-ending ACL injury, is another special mark in favor of this offense. The Bears also brought in some youth to the offensive line in the names of Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom, adding well-needed depth.
As one of the many teams that the lower salary cap wreaked havoc on, the Bears had to part ways with standout cornerback Kyle Fuller, a presence that is sure to be felt when the season gets underway, who signed on with Denver in the offseason. Desmond Trufant is a strong and wily veteran who brings a bevy of experience to aid the Chicago secondary and help the team fend off opposing passing games.
Dynasty Quick Hits
Buy Low: Tarik Cohen
Cohen’s season was cut awfully short after he suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of the 2020 campaign. The former 4th round draft pick has been a cornerstone of the Bears offense as a pass-catching specialist out of the backfield – he could explode with seven or more receptions in any game. Presumably healed up, Cohen figures to be a reliable outlet in the short-range passing game as he can break off huge plays with his agility and speed. Not the kind of player that gets handed the rock on a regular basis, the 2018 All-Pro can be a beast for any fantasy team in a PPR format. Recency bias can be a wonderful thing.
Sell High: Allen Robinson
I almost listed Andy Dalton here, but I don’t think he’ll keep the starting job as signal-caller until the bye in Week 10. Not to mention, you really can’t sell high on Dalton unless you’re in a Superflex or 2QB league and there’s a big Dalton fan in your league. Robinson has proven that he can ball out with the most mediocre of quarterbacks such as Trubisky, Nick Foles, and Blake Bortles. Need I go on?
With Dalton at the helm, Robinson is sure to continue his dominance. At some point, though, the Bears will shift to their shiny new toy and glue the veteran to the bench. Justin Fields will come in and electrify the offense more with his running ability and less with his arm. This will negatively affect Robinson as the overall number of targets will diminish. Should you have Robinson on your fantasy roster come Week 5 or 6, cash in on his numbers at that point because surely someone in your league will think that it’s bound to continue. If you’re not in a position to win now, you can definitely consider selling him high.
Sleeper: Cole Kmet
The Bears spent a 2nd round pick on this young tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft, so we know they see big potential in him. Jimmy Graham, while very talented, isn’t getting any younger. 50 catches and 8 touchdowns in 2020 feel like a swan song to his 11 year NFL career. Kmet, on the other hand, was targeted six or more times in four of the last five games in 2020, showing that the Bears are ready to key into his potential in 2021. He probably won’t finish the season as a top-five tight end, but he’s got a really good chance of tallying some very nice performances and making his way into the top 10 at the position.
Stash: Damiere Byrd
Byrd made his name known with the Patriots in 2020, ranking second among the team’s wide receivers in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He found a new home in Chicago where he likely enters as the WR3 for the team with Anthony Miller possibly on the way out. He has shown the ability to learn and adapt his game to keep up with and excel at his craft since his college days at South Carolina. If he performs well in 2021, he could either find a long-term home with the Bears or earn a more lucrative contract in 2022. I see a lot of promise in this wideout. He will be low-cost and could turn out to be a nice addition to your roster.
Written by: Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad
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