With the NFL fantasy football season just around the corner, excitement is building among Chicago Bears fans and fantasy managers alike. The Bears, coming off a turbulent 2024 campaign, are looking to turn the page with new faces, returning stars, and a coaching staff determined to inject creativity and resilience into the roster. As fantasy drafts kick into high gear, experts Bryan Orenchuk and Jack R Salo have unveiled their top ten Bears for the upcoming fantasy season, offering insight and analysis that could make or break your draft strategy.
Let’s dive into the latest rankings, focusing on three key Bears: Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and D’Andre Swift—players whose roles, potential, and challenges have been hot topics in both fantasy circles and the Windy City.
Colston Loveland, a rookie tight end, lands at number four on Orenchuk and Salo’s list, with national rankings of TE12 (ESPN), TE15 (Fantasy Pros), TE14 (Yahoo!), and TE10 (NFL.com). What’s driving the optimism? For starters, Ben Johnson’s arrival as offensive coordinator has fantasy pundits buzzing. Johnson’s reputation for deploying two-tight end sets—second most in the NFL last season—suggests Loveland will see plenty of action. Bryan Orenchuk points out, “Ben Johnson is a creative play caller who schemes his players open. Even rookies. See LaPorta, Sam.”
Jack R Salo echoes the sentiment, emphasizing Loveland’s potential for volume and big plays. “With DJ Moore and Rome Odunze commanding attention from defensive secondaries, it shouldn’t take long for Loveland to adjust to the NFL and find open spots on the field,” Salo notes. At 6’6” and 240 pounds, Loveland brings both size and speed, making him a mismatch against smaller corners and slower linebackers. “Loveland could have stretches that completely change a fantasy football matchup. For a tight end, that’s huge,” Salo adds.
But it’s not all sunshine and touchdowns. Both experts caution that Cole Kmet’s established role as the Bears’ starting tight end could limit Loveland’s red zone opportunities and overall target share. Orenchuk worries, “From a fantasy perspective, I worry about Cole Kmet’s involvement most, but having so many mouths to feed in this offense is a real concern as well.” Salo concurs, adding, “Loveland’s touchdowns could be lacking this year as Kmet and others are trusted more in the redzone.”
Despite these concerns, Loveland is considered a draftable asset, especially in dynasty formats and deeper leagues. “He’s one injury away from being a TE1 in fantasy and has day 1 appeal in deeper leagues,” Orenchuk advises. Salo recommends targeting Loveland as a low-end starter or solid bench stash, noting, “When the other players in the draft start their run on tight ends, Loveland should still be there the next round.”
Next up at number five is Luther Burden III, a dynamic wide receiver whose athleticism and yards-after-catch (YAC) ability have caught the eyes of coaches and analysts alike. While ESPN doesn’t rank Burden, he comes in at WR57 (Fantasy Pros), WR61 (Yahoo!), and WR53 (NFL.com). Orenchuk is impressed by Burden’s buy-in to the new offense: “When you take a player as talented as Burden III and combine that talent with a grit and work ethic to be great, expect fireworks.”
Salo highlights Burden’s versatility, recalling his do-it-all role at Missouri, which included backfield snaps and gadget plays. “Screens, jet sweeps, and trick plays could free up Burden for some huge plays,” Salo says. Burden’s speed is undeniable, and once he overtakes Olamide Zaccheaus as the WR3, he could see a steady diet of targets and big-play opportunities.
However, Burden’s path to fantasy stardom is not without obstacles. Orenchuk is candid about his concerns: “I worry about his target share in this offense. For fantasy purposes, that could be extremely frustrating.” Zaccheaus’s strong offseason could delay Burden’s ascent, and Salo questions whether Burden’s college skillset will translate right away: “NFL receivers are asked to do so many things...back shoulder catches, jump balls, toe-tappers. It’s good to see he bought-in to the ‘no block, no rock’ mentality of this offense.”
Despite the uncertainty, both experts agree Burden is worth a late-round flyer. “Players with his skillset deserve to be drafted,” Orenchuk says, while Salo envisions Burden as a bench stash with upside: “He’s an option to put in when a receiver has a bye, or if a Bears receiver gets hurt.”
At number four in the rankings sits D’Andre Swift, the Bears’ most dynamic and experienced back, with RB20 (ESPN), RB22 (Fantasy Pros), RB24 (Yahoo!), and RB16 (NFL.com) designations. Swift, who signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bears, is expected to be the focal point of the rushing attack—at least to start the season. Orenchuk is enthusiastic: “Swift is the most dynamic and experienced back for the Bears. Oh, and he also happens to be the only healthy one.” The addition of a reinforced offensive line and Ben Johnson’s play calling only sweeten the deal.
Salo points to Swift’s pass-catching prowess, noting, “Averaging 47 receptions over five seasons, with three different teams makes him a great RB2 in fantasy.” Swift’s chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams is another plus, especially as a safety valve when plays break down. “Swift as a dump-off option could mirror Kenneth Walker III in fantasy football,” Salo suggests.
Yet, Swift’s fantasy value comes with caveats. Orenchuk’s primary concern is health: “At this point, the biggest concern for me is his health.” The Bears’ front office has also positioned themselves to move on if needed, with promising backups like RoJo and Monangai waiting in the wings. Salo wonders if Swift’s job security could waver: “If Monangai is forced into action and excels, will Swift earn his job back?”
Nevertheless, Swift is considered a steal in the 6th-8th round of drafts. “Go get the Bears RB1 in the 6th-8th round and plug him into a flex spot weekly,” Orenchuk advises. Salo is a bit more cautious but still sees value: “Swift remains a RB2 option in all leagues. If you draft running backs high, he’s a great flex play, and otherwise he’s a fine RB2 option as long as he’s fully healthy.”
While fantasy managers weigh these options, the Bears’ real-life drama continues to unfold. Just last January, kicker Cairo Santos delivered a storybook moment at Lambeau Field, drilling a 51-yard field goal against the Packers as time expired. That kick not only snapped a 10-game losing streak but also gave the Bears their first win over Green Bay since 2018. Santos, reflecting on the moment, shared, “I was determined to just stay in the moment.” His redemption came after a blocked attempt against the Packers seven weeks earlier—a testament to resilience and preparation.
With Ben Johnson’s creative schemes, rookies hungry to prove themselves, and veterans like Santos rising to the occasion, the Chicago Bears are poised to offer plenty of intrigue—both on the field and in fantasy lineups. As draft day approaches, managers would be wise to keep an eye on Loveland, Burden, Swift, and the ever-reliable leg of Santos. The new season brings new hope, and for Bears fans and fantasy enthusiasts alike, that’s more than enough reason to believe that brighter days might just be ahead.
