3 Chicago Bears Players Fantasy Football Managers Must Draft in 2026

Ben Johnson enters his second season steering the Chicago Bears' high-powered offensive scheme. The departure of veteran wide receiver DJ Moore creates massive target opportunities across the roster. Fantasy managers seeking elite Chicago Bears fantasy football targets should monitor several dynamic options this season.

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Whether you're looking for a reliable weekly starter, a breakout candidate, or a late-round sleeper, the Bears offer plenty of fantasy value. Here are the three Chicago Bears players fantasy managers should prioritize in 2026 drafts, along with one sleeper worth stashing.

Chicago Bears Fantasy Football Draft Targets for 2026

1. Colston Loveland (TE): The Top Chicago Bears Fantasy Football Target

Tight end Colston Loveland established an elite workload during the closing stretch of his 2025 rookie season. Over his final four games, Loveland averaged 12.0 targets and 20.0 fantasy points per game. He recorded four consecutive games with at least 10 targets to close out the year.

Historical data highlights the rarity of that late-season volume. Only 12 tight ends in NFL history have logged four straight regular-season games with double-digit targets. Loveland accomplished this feat as a 21-year-old rookie while finishing top eight in efficiency metrics.

Last year's first-round pick finished 2025 with 58 receptions, 713 receiving yards, and six touchdowns; finishing as the TE 12. In 2026, he is projected to get 80 catches for 898 yards and six touchdowns on 118 targets, finishing as the TE 4.

I believe he is poised for an All-Pro level leap in his 2nd year as Caleb William's top target with his size, speed, and top end route running being a real weapon, while being a mismatch nightmare for opposing defences.

Fantasy managers can view a Top 5 TE finish as Loveland's absolute floor. His target ceiling provides overall TE1 potential without requiring a first-round selection.

2. Caleb Williams (QB): Dual-Threat QB1 With League-Winning Upside

Quarterback Caleb Williams produced a strong second season under Ben Johnson in 2025. Williams finished inside the top 11 among quarterbacks in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. He also finished top 11 in rushing carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and fantasy points per game.

Williams delivered 3,942 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and 383 rushing yards with three scores. Williams maintained strong ball security, throwing just seven interceptions across the entire season. His dual-threat capabilities provide fantasy managers with a high weekly floor.

Projections for 2026 project 3,823 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, alongside 382 rushing yards, which are very conservative projections considering that is a slight drop-off from last season.

Williams says that he his in the best shape of his life, having lost 15 pounds during the offseason, so his rushing numbers could be way up from years past. Also, now he has a year under Ben Johnson under his belt, and their connection is getting better week by week, so I find any drop-off or stagnation very unlikely, despite a tougher schedule.

Current draft boards list Williams as a fringe QB1 option. However, I think he can be a borderline elite QB1 with his combination of rushing production and elite passing weapons, making him a potential mid to late round steal.

3. Luther Burden III (WR): Breakout Candidate Positioned For Heavy Volume

Wide receiver Luther Burden III flashed dominant efficiency during his rookie season in 2025. Burden ranked top five among all NFL wide receivers in catch rate (77%) and yards per target (10.8). He also placed top five in yards after catch (7.3) and yards per route run (2.9).

Despite playing limited snaps early on, Burden produced 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns. Projections feature a massive jump to 75 receptions, 938 yards, and five touchdowns on 113 targets.

The departure of DJ Moore clears a path for Burden to compete for a high target share. It is expected that Rome will be the top receiver; his injury concerns still loom large and could open the door for Burden to be the Bears' WR1, with his dynamic speed and yards after catch ability, which is also helpful for his fantasy floor.

Fantasy managers should target Burden as a high-upside WR3 with clear WR1 breakout potential.

Honorable Mention: Kyle Monangai (RB) — Elite Bench Option

Running back Kyle Monangai proved his efficiency as a seventh-round rookie in 2025. Monangai played 41% of offensive snaps while averaging 4.6 yards per carry on 169 rushing attempts. He ended his rookie campaign with 783 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and 18 receptions.

Monangai produced 7.7 fantasy points per game while sharing backfield touches with starter D'Andre Swift. However, his true potential showed in Week 9 when Swift missed time due to injury. Monangai handled 29 touches for 198 total yards in that standalone start.

There is also a chance that Ben Johnson deploys the two running backs like he did Gibbs and Montgomery during his time at the Lions, which can lead Monangai to have better production and a higher projected floor for fantasy managers. Projections for 2026 forecast Monangai to go for 192 carries for 826 yards and six touchdowns.

Monangai stands out as an elite "draft and stash" target with flex appeal during heavy bye weeks or RB 2 conversations if Swift misses any time.

All Stats via ESPN