Niner Noise
FanSided

Fantasy football: 10 players you’ll want to avoid drafting early in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams scores a 35 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams scores a 35 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 06: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears hits Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 06: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears hits Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

9. player. 57. . D/ST. Chicago Bears. Defense Special Teams

Yes, one could make the argument the Chicago Bears still boast the best defense in the NFC North, and there’s a good chance their production on this side of the ball will be solid over the course of the season.

With an ADP of 8.08, many leagues are looking at Chicago’s defense and special teams as the unit coming off the board here first in 12-team fantasy football formats.

It’s fine if this unit is first off the board. But Round 8 is far too high.

While the Bears could be solid enough to warrant your primary consideration here, one has to factor in they lost their prime genius, now-Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, during the offseason. Fangio’s defenses have succeeded nearly everywhere he’s been, so it’s going to be curious how the unit responds.

There’s going to be a drop in talent, too, especially with safety Adrian Amos jettisoning to Chicago’s division rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

Simply put, don’t reach on the Bears defense and special teams this season. You shouldn’t reach on D/ST units anyway. But if you find yourself in a tossup situation, go with the other choice.