It is finally time for Caleb Williams fantasy owners to get excited. After being a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, it seems like he will be returning for the Chicago Bears’ game against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.
His return also impacts the fantasy value of pretty much everyone on the Bears roster, especially wide receiver Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Neither player had a breakout performance in Williams’ absence. However, Odunze is leading Chicago in receiving yards while Burden is leading the Bears in receptions.
Running back D’Andre Swift remains the Bears’ most consistent fantasy performer including his solid performance against the Green Bay Packers with 43 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards from four receptions
and a rushing touchdown. With backup running back Kyle Monangai most likely out for a second straight game with turf toe, Swift should get a lot of touches once again versus Atlanta.
The Falcons are not an easy opponent and Chicago’s offensive playmakers have not been consistent. So, who should you trust in your fantasy lineup this week?
Start: QB Caleb Williams
If you have Caleb Williams on your team, he should be in your starting lineup assuming he plays. The Bears would not put Williams back in if he was not ready, so his hamstring injury should not be a concern for fantasy managers. Between bye weeks and injuries, there are a lot of quarterbacks who are not available, especially with Williams’ rushing upside. Atlanta also happens to be a good matchup as they have allowed the sixth-most passing yards, nine passing touchdowns and only have one interception. So, with a solid matchup, the weapons Williams has to work with and the quarterbacks who are unavailable this week due to injury and bye weeks, Caleb Williams is someone who needs to be a starter in your lineup.
Sit: WR Rome Odunze
Rome Odunze's targets have actually been increasing with each game, but his receptions are generally not. Except for Chicago’s game against the New York Jets, Odunze has yet to have more than three receptions in a game. The starting quarterback also has not made a difference, since Odunze has struggled with Williams, Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum at quarterback. Atlanta is actually a good matchup for wide receivers, but Odunze has not been consistent enough to be in your starting lineup.
Start: RB D’Andre Swift
Atlanta has done a lot better against the run than against the pass, which does not bode well for D'Andre Swift’s fantasy production. However, especially if Monangai is officially ruled out, the Bears will need to lean on Swift to get their run game going and will probably use him in the passing game as well. The Falcons have given up the seventh-most receptions to running backs through the first five games, so he has upside in PPR leagues. There are no reasons to keep Swift on the bench at this point, making him someone who should be in your lineup in all formats, especially PPR leagues.
Sit: TE Colston Loveland
There are 32 teams in the NFL and Colston Loveland is currently the No. 33 tight end in the NFL in fantasy points according to ESPN. He had one good game against the New York Jets, but has done a lot of nothing in every other game. Loveland also has not scored a touchdown yet this year. Also, Atlanta is not the best matchup for tight ends. Even though Williams is expected to be back at quarterback, Loveland is someone to keep on the bench again this week.
Start: Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III is not someone who is going to go off for 25 or 30 points, but he at least puts up solid production. His targets have not fallen below five in any game this season and Burden has had at least 60 receiving yards in three out of five games. Especially wih all the injuries around the league and some of the league’s best wide receivers on bye, this is a good week to start Burden, who has a solid floor.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Fantasy football starts and sits for Chicago Bears players in Week 6
