Fantasy Football Profile: Matt Forte

Like most of the top Running Backs this year, there are some question marks with Matt Forte.  AP likely has to deal with a gunslinger taking over at QB.  MJD has never had more than 200 carries so it’s unknown how he’ll deal with an increased workload. 

Michael Turner had a ton of carries last year, something that historically has been bad for the following year production. 

Matt Forte’s questions are similar to AP’s.  What will the addition of a proven QB mean to his production?  With Jay Cutler under Center, will Forte lose carries?  Likely.  Though his ability to catch the football (led all RBs with 63 receptions last year) will keep him heavily involved in the Offense. 

Will his presence open up the running game by keeping Defenses honest?  Likely.  Though I don’t expect Forte’s production to suffer from Cutler’s arrival.

The main thing Forte had going for him was consistency.  He only failed to reach 10 fantasy points in one game (8.5 in Week Four against Philly) during the typical fantasy season (He had 7.5 in Week 17). 

He scored a TD in 10 of the first 16 games.  He didn’t have monster games, but he delivered every week.  Despite playing in an Offense with limited skill position players, Forte had 1715 total yards and 12 total TDs.

He has a fairly friendly fantasy schedule early on facing Detroit in Week Four (unfortunately the second meeting is Week 17), a three-game stretch in Weeks 7-9 against Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Arizona, and Week 13 against St. Louis. 

His fantasy playoff schedule is brutal, which makes him a candidate to sell high.  He faces Green Bay, Baltimore, and Minnesota.  His pass-catching ability should help, but that’s a tough schedule at the worst possible time.

Though he could struggle down the stretch, he should still be good for 1700 total yards and 10+ TDs.  Barring injury he’ll be selected in the top four picks with a slight bump in PPR leagues.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.