2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Chicago Bears
WalterFootball.com's Archive
Walter of WalterFootball has been WalterFootball'ing since 1999'. Older Content is being kept around here. Thanks for reading.

Updated 5/31

As crappy as Jay Cutler was last year, he managed to throw for 3,666 yards and 27 touchdowns. The 26 picks obviously hurt, but Cutler was still a decent fantasy option. Now, Cutler will be coached by new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who once managed to turn Jon Kitna into a 4,000-yard passer. Sure, Cutler may toss 30 interceptions and get sacked 50 times this year, but he's going to post monstrous fantasy numbers (unless he has to go on IR after being sacked so much that his organs pop out).
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 4,300 passing yards. 30 passing TDs. 28 INTs. 160 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 258.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points (QB Friendly): 361.

Every single fantasy football publication out there had Matt Forte ranked between No. 2 and 4 overall last year. Unfortunately, he was a bust; he was out of shape and his offensive line stunk, which is why he rushed for only 929 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears signed Chester Taylor, who will take the third-down duties away from Forte. Chicago's offensive line hasn't improved either. However, Forte is an intriguing PPR back because of Mike Martz. Jay Cutler will be throwing a lot, which means Forte's reception totals will remain high despite the addition of Taylor.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 725 rushing yards. 30 catches. 240 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 132.
Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 162.

Chester Taylor is paid more than Matt Forte, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he takes over the starting job. The more likely scenario, as admitted by Taylor and the coaching staff, is that he'll be the third-down back and catch a ton of passes, thanks to Mike Martz. Keep in mind though that Taylor averaged just 3.6 yards per carry behind Minnesota's offensive line.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 440 rushing yards. 45 catches. 390 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 101.
Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 146.

Devin Aromashodu barely played last year, but really shined in the final four games of the season. In those contests, he caught 22 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns. It was clear that Jay Cutler had a great rapport with Aromashodu, so I'm excited to see what a complete offseason together will do for the two players. Also remember who the new offensive coordinator is. Cutler will post monstrous fantasy numbers this year thanks to Mike Martz, and you can bet Aromashodu will be the recipient of a ton of targets.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 71 catches. 940 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 136.
Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 207.

I like Johnny Knox as a mid-round fantasy sleeper. Knox had 45 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last season. Now, his stats have the potential to soar with Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator. Jay Cutler will be throwing early and often, and it seems as though he and Knox developed a rapport in their brief time together.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 70 catches. 830 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 125.
Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 195.

Mike Martz says he has "big plans" for Devin Hester. I suppose that means Hester will be tasked to collect Jay Cutler's organs when they spill onto the field. In all seriousness, Hester could lead the team in receiving yardage, but his small frame means that he won't be a factor in the red zone. It's no coincidence that Hester has just eight offensive touchdowns in the past three seasons.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 925 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 110.
Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 175.

Mike Martz has never had much success with tight ends. He had Vernon Davis at his disposal, but couldn't do anything with him. Greg Olsen's production will surely take a huge drop in 2010.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 42 catches. 475 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 83.
Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 125.

Robbie Gould has hit at least 85.5 percent of his field goals the past four years. In addition to his excellent accuracy, he was also 2-of-3 from 50-plus in 2009 - which marked the first time he had ever converted a 50-yard field goal.
Projected 2009 Fantasy Stats: 26-30 FG (2-3 from 50+; 9-11 from 40-49). 42 XP.
Projected 2009 Fantasy Points: 132.

Chicago has a good chance to field a very good fantasy defense. Brian Urlacher will be back, and if the final couple of games of the 2009 season were any indication, then Tommie Harris is healthy again. If Harris is close to 100 percent, the Bears will put more pressure on the opposing quarterback and force lots of turnovers. Oh, and I almost forgot the excellent special teams.