ESPN analyst dubs these Bears players must-draft in fantasy football

The Chicago Bears had one of the best offenses in the NFL last season in their first year with head coach Ben Johnson, and they’re expected to have another great season in 2026.

Last season, the Bears were in the top 10 in multiple offensive categories, including points per game (25.7), yards per game (375.7), rushing yards per game (142.3), passing yards per game (233.4) and sacks allowed (24).

That on-the-field success on offense should translate to fantasy football success, leading to ESPN’s Matt Bowen selecting three Bears players among his top fantasy draft picks this year — quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland.

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I’ll take Williams all day as a fringe QB1. In 2025 (Williams’ first season under head coach Ben Johnson), he scored 18.7 fantasy PPG and we saw how his natural playmaking ability leads to winning weeks (eight games with 20 or more points). With another year of development paired with Johnson’s elite playcalling, I expect Williams to show even more growth as a rhythm passer. A big-time breakout looms here.

I’ll take Williams all day as a fringe QB1. In 2025 (Williams’ first season under head coach Ben Johnson), he scored 18.7 fantasy PPG and we saw how his natural playmaking ability leads to winning weeks (eight games with 20 or more points). With another year of development paired with Johnson’s elite playcalling, I expect Williams to show even more growth as a rhythm passer. A big-time breakout looms here.

Bowen’s analysis of Williams is spot-on. He was a top fantasy performer in his first year under Johnson and has every reason to have a leap in production now that he has a greater handle on the offense. The Bears have numerous playmakers for him to throw the ball to including Burden, Loveland, wide receiver Rome Odunze and even tight end Cole Kmet, who still gets involved in the passing game.  

Chicago also has a balanced offensive attack with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai serving as a reliable running back duo. The fact that Williams is the eleventh quarterback off the board on average means fantasy owners can build their skill positions and then draft Williams in the later rounds of the fantasy draft. He is certainly someone who can take your fantasy team to the championship this season.

Burden had double-digit production in three of his final four games last season, including the 27.8 points he scored in Week 17 versus the 49ers. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden should see a major boost in target volume, and coach Ben Johnson will deploy him as a playmaker. Burden suffered a groin injury in early August, which will sideline him for the preseason, but I’m still buying his outlook this season. You can draft Burden as a WR2/flex. You should expect some WR1 breakout weeks, too.

Burden had double-digit production in three of his final four games last season, including the 27.8 points he scored in Week 17 versus the 49ers. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden should see a major boost in target volume, and coach Ben Johnson will deploy him as a playmaker. Burden suffered a groin injury in early August, which will sideline him for the preseason, but I’m still buying his outlook this season. You can draft Burden as a WR2/flex. You should expect some WR1 breakout weeks, too.

Last season, Burden was the No. 3 wide receiver on the roster behind Odunze and Moore. Now, he is the No. 2 receiver and was potentially making a move for the top receiver during training camp before suffering a groin injury. This injury is not serious and really should not impact his value. Burden can really be a steal with his ADP putting him as the No. 28 wide receiver off the board so far in fantasy drafts.  Like Williams, Burden is definitely a breakout candidate in fantasy this year.

I rarely jump at a tight end early in drafts, but Loveland is the one player I would make an exception for. Over his last five games as a rookie in 2025, Loveland scored 15.1 fantasy PPG (including 21 or more in two games) and his production continued in the Bears’ two playoff matchups (12 receptions, 193 yards). With his formation flexibility and receiving traits, Loveland wins on schemed throws, plus he brings one-on-one ability to Johnson’s offense. He can be a star in the league.

I rarely jump at a tight end early in drafts, but Loveland is the one player I would make an exception for. Over his last five games as a rookie in 2025, Loveland scored 15.1 fantasy PPG (including 21 or more in two games) and his production continued in the Bears’ two playoff matchups (12 receptions, 193 yards). With his formation flexibility and receiving traits, Loveland wins on schemed throws, plus he brings one-on-one ability to Johnson’s offense. He can be a star in the league.

What Bowen said aligns with what other fantasy analysts have said. Loveland is generally the third tight end off the board in fantasy drafts. Only Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders and Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals are routinely getting drafted ahead of him. After Loveland led the Bears in receiving last year and had multiple games where he shredded opposing defenses, it makes sense that he is being drafted so high and he should be  It can be difficult to find an elite tight end in fantasy, but Loveland is someone who should definitely be in that “elite” category.

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