Chicago Bears Edition: Who I'm Drafting...And Who I'm Letting Somebody Else Reach For

Fantasy football season is no creeping up on us, it's already here damnit, which means every "expert" on the internet is about to convince you they have the perfect draft strategy.

Spoiler alert...

They don't.

Everybody's league is different. Everybody values players differently. And every year, somebody wins a championship because they trusted their own board instead of blindly following ADP (average draft position).

So here's mine.

Now, let's get one thing clear: This isn't a list of who the fantasy community loves.

This is who I'm drafting, who I'm waiting on, and who I'm politely letting become somebody else's headache.

Let's get into it.

Caleb Williams | QB6

Current Position Rank: QB6

Current ADP: Round 5-6

The312 Breakdown

I don't care what anybody says...

Once Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow are off the board...

I'm taking Caleb Williams.

Yep. I said it.

Call it a reach if you want. I'll call it getting my quarterback before somebody else does.

Ben Johnson didn't come to Chicago to hand the ball off 40 times a game. This offense is built around Caleb's arm, his legs, and his ability to create when plays break down.

Ryan Poles had worked masterfully with his coach to supply Williams with playmaker after playmaker after playmaker and improved line on the offensive side of the ball. Year 3 is usually where it starts to click for young quarterbacks. This is that time.

The ingredients are there for Caleb to finish as one of fantasy football's biggest steals.

2026 Projection

• 4,350 Passing Yards
• 33 Passing TD
• 410 Rushing Yards
• 5 Rushing TD

Fantasy Finish: QB4-QB6 (with top-3 upside easily)

Verdict

🟢 REACH

Don't overthink it.

When Allen, Lamar and Burrow are gone...

I'm making the call.

Luther Burden III | WR21

Current Position Rank: WR21

Current ADP: Round 5

The312 Breakdown

Here's the hill I'm willing to die on.

Luther Burden...

Not Rome Odunze...

Will finish as the Bears' WR1.

There.

I said it.

Burden is going to become Caleb's security blanket. The explosive plays. The manufactured touches. The yards after catch.

Ben Johnson is going to have lil bro lined up everywhere.

While everyone else is chasing what Rome might become...

I'll gladly take the guy I believe Caleb is actually going to feed.

2026 Projection

• 96 Receptions
• 1,245 Receiving Yards
• 10 TD

Fantasy Finish: WR12-WR16 (with top-8 potential)

Verdict

🟢 REACH

I'm reaching every single time.

Matter of fact...

Thank you to everybody drafting Rome first.

Rome Odunze | WR30

Current Position Rank: WR30

Current ADP: Round 6

The312 Breakdown

Let's get something straight...

I like Rome.

I really do.

What I don't like...

...is where people are drafting him.

I've seen folks grabbing him in the third and fourth rounds in mock drafts.

Absolutely tf not!

At that price, you're drafting hope.

If Rome falls into the seventh or eighth?

Now we're having a conversation.

That's called value.

2026 Projection

• 78 Receptions
• 980 Receiving Yards
• 7 TD

Fantasy Finish: WR28-WR32

Verdict

🟡 WAIT

Good player.

Wrong draft price.

There's a difference.

D'Andre Swift | RB21

Current Position Rank: RB21

Current ADP: Round 6-7

The312 Breakdown

This one might upset some people...

I'm out.

Swift is talented.

Nobody's arguing that.

But fantasy championships aren't won because somebody looked explosive on three carries.

They're won because volume wins.

At his current ADP?

I'm passing.

If I end up with Swift, it's because I needed depth...

Not because I targeted him.

2026 Projection

• 965 Rushing Yards
• 320 Receiving Yards
• 8 Total TD

Fantasy Finish: RB22-RB25

Verdict

🔴 AVOID

Unless he's your RB3...

I'm good.

Kyle Monangai | RB34

Current Position Rank: RB34

Current ADP: Round 10-11

The312 Breakdown

Every championship roster has one dude sitting on the bench...

Just waiting.

Kyle Monangai is that guy.

No...

I'm not starting him Week 1.

But if injuries happen...

Or WHEN he starts inevitably eating into the primary's workload (MAJOR REASON I'M AVOIDING SWIFT)...

Everybody in your league will suddenly pretend they "always believed."

Draft him.

Hide him.

Thank me later.

2026 Projection

• 725 Total Yards
• 6 TD

Verdict

🟢 DRAFT & STASH

He's exactly the kind of player that wins leagues in November.

Colston Loveland | TE3

Current Position Rank: TE3

Current ADP: Round 3-4

The312 Breakdown

I've seen enough.

Colston Loveland is already in my top tier.

Brock Bowers.

Trey McBride.

Colston Loveland.

End of discussion.

You don't wait around hoping he falls.

Because he won't.

Elite tight ends create weekly advantages that most fantasy managers underestimate.

I'm not.

2026 Projection

• 92 Receptions
• 1,105 Receiving Yards
• 9 TD

Fantasy Finish: TE2-TE3 (TE1 VEEERRRRRRY POSSIBLE)

Verdict

🟢 REACH

I'd rather secure an elite tight end than spend all season streaming the waiver wire.

Cole Kmet | TE45

Current Position Rank: TE45

Current ADP: Undrafted in most leagues

The312 Breakdown

Before y'all start clipping this...

No...

I'm not telling you to draft Cole Kmet.

Well...

Not exactly.

Here's the only scenario.

You've already drafted Loveland.

You already have another playable tight end.

Everybody else is drafting kickers and defenses.

Your league has extra bench spots.

That's when you grab Kmet.

Insurance policies aren't exciting...

Until you need one.

2026 Projection

• 28 Receptions
• 265 Receiving Yards
• 3 TD

Verdict

🟡 LATE HANDCUFF

Otherwise...

Leave him on waivers.

Final Thoughts

Every year fantasy managers fall into the same trap.

They draft names.

I draft situations.

I draft value.

I draft upside.

And this year...

I'm betting big on Caleb Williams and Luther Burden (stack these two in every league you can) becoming one of fantasy football's most productive quarterback-receiver duos.

If I'm wrong...

Y'all can absolutely cook me in the comments.

But when you realize I'm right?

Don't act like I didn't tell you first.

— Jamor Pearson

Founder | The312Report