Matt Forte

Forte finished as the No. 7 back in PPR scoring last year, despite missing three games — everyone who outscored him did so in a full season. Forte’s average rush and catch were close to career norms. Granted, there were some bumps in the road, and it was frustrating to watch Forte in short-yardage situations; although he had 30 goal-line carries (and 10 inside the 5-yard line), he scored just four rushing touchdowns. By way of comparison, Todd Gurley had 30 red-zone carries and 10 rushing touchdowns. The Bears probably did the right thing and let Forte walk, certainly knowing they got their money’s worth over the years. Forte only missed eight games in eight seasons, remarkable durability for a back of his workload, but now he enters his age-30 campaign. Marc Trestman used Forte on an insane 92.1 percent of the offensive snaps in 2014, but the new Chicago regime scaled that back to 67.8 percent last year. The Jets over the years have been a forgiving organization with older backs. It coaxed multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons from both Curtis Martin and Thomas Jones after they turned 30, and the Jets also hosted the final two years of LaDainian Tomlinson. Asking Forte to hit the Pro Bowl or run into the fantasy Top 10 is probably asking too much, but his track record should set up for a strong floor.

Playing 16 games for the second consecutive season, Forte once again thrived under coach Marc Trestman, setting the all-time record for receptions by a running back while maintaining his streak of at least 900 rushing yards in every year of his career. Possessing a solid 6-2, 218-pound frame, Forte uses his excellent vision, elusiveness and balance to stay on his feet in traffic and slip through holes while still using his size and strength to power through arm tackles and grind out yards at the end of runs. He's an asset in all facets of the passing game, from his hands to his route running to his blitz pickups, and he's a mismatch out of the backfield for almost any linebacker. While the departure of Trestman and the hiring of defensive-minded head coach John Fox may seem to point to a big reduction in Forte's output this season, particularly through the air, Fox did add former Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase to his staff. During Gase's time in Denver, he proved to be both creative and flexible when it came to getting the ball into the hands of his biggest weapons, and while Forte likely won't see triple-digit targets or lead all running backs in snaps again, he should still have a huge role in the Bears' gameplan.

Fully healthy again after injuries marred his 2011 and 2012 campaigns, Forte delivered his best NFL season in 2013, setting career-highs in rush yards, receptions and receiving yards while tying his rookie-season total of 12 touchdowns. As promised before the season, the 6-2, 218-pound Forte flourished through the air under new coach Marc Trestman, finishing third among running backs with 74 receptions. As he's not an overly physical runner despite his size – he broke just 24 tackles last year while finishing second among running backs with 364 touches – Forte's hallmarks are his elusiveness, speed and hands. There are few backs in the league better at finding gaps and hitting them, even behind a Chicago offensive line in the midst of a rebuild, and even with injuries to Jay Cutler. In fact, Forte did some of his best work last year when Cutler was hurt. Though Forte has had some recurring knee and ankle issues in his career, he finished last season with a clean bill of health and enters 2014 as the unchallenged top dog in the Chicago backfield. The depth chart currently lists fourth-round pick Ka'Deem Carey behind Forte, with undrafted signee Michael Ford and unaccomplished veteran Shaun Draughn behind him. Indeed, he could actually be in for an even bigger season this year with backup Michael Bush looking for a new job. Bush took 15 red-zone carries – nine of them inside the five – from Forte last year. While Forte has never been a great goal-line back (and as a result, has been little-used there over the last three seasons), he may see more touchdown opportunities this year purely by virtue of there being no better choice on the roster. And as he's always a threat to deliver an 18-yard scamper for a score, the Bears can be counted on to use Forte liberally in the red zone.

Forte battled an ankle injury virtually all season but still produced more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage last year in 15 games. The injury contributed to a 4.4 YPC mark that was Forte's lowest since 2009 and perhaps sapped his explosiveness as he had only six runs of 20-plus yards, half his total from his 12-game 2011 campaign. Forte hasn't played a 16-game season since 2010, making durability a significant concern. At 6-2, 218, Forte is not a burner, but he's a downhill runner whose blocking and receiving skills keep him on the field as a "three-down back." While his receptions and receiving yards fell to career lows last season, Forte, who saw 60 targets, likely will be more involved in the passing game this year under new coach Marc Testman, whose playbook reportedly makes heavy use of the running back as a pass catcher. Forte's downfall, though, continues to be his work at the goal line, as he's converted 5-of-38 attempts from in close the last four seasons. Michael Bush, who scored five touchdowns last year, should once again steal short-yardage and goal-line carries.

Forte was having a big year before a sprained MCL forced him to miss the season’s final four games – he wound up with 1,487 total yards while racking up 52 receptions in just 11.5 games. Despite running behind an offensive line that was among the worst in football, Forte’s 4.9 YPC was easily a career high, and his 12 carries for 20-plus yards were the second most in the NFL. Forte is a dynamic back with good speed and plenty dangerous as a receiver. But he’s just 3-for-33 on goal-line attempts over the past three seasons, so expect newcomer Michael Bush to handle short-yardage work. Forte’s knee injury was minor, as he even played in the Pro Bowl, so he’ll enter 2012 fully healthy, but his offseason has been rocky nevertheless. Not only was he upset the team added Bush to the backfield, but the Bears used the franchise tag on him after the two sides couldn’t agree on a long-term contract. As such, there’s some risk of a holdout. With the healthy return of Jay Cutler and the trade for Brandon Marshall (not to mention the loss of pass-happy OC Mike Martz), Forte’s environment in Chicago appears improved. If he’s able to get his contract issues settled, Forte should remain among the league leaders in yards from scrimmage yet again.

Forte rebounded from a terribly underwhelming 2009 last year, as he totaled 1,616 yards with nine touchdowns. The Bears don’t treat him like a true workhorse, but he’s so active as a receiver it more than makes up for the lack of carries. The additions of QB Jay Cutler as well as offensive coordinator Mike Martz helped Forte reach 4.0 YPC for the first time in his career (he got 4.5 YPC) despite Chicago’s offensive line being one of the worst in football. Surprisingly, Forte led the team in goal-line carries, though he continued to struggle mightily there (1-for-10). In fact, he’s now just 3-for-28 at the goal line the last two seasons, and with the addition of Marion Barber, it could further limit Forte’s touchdown potential. However, he might be due for an increase in carries between the 20s, as Chester Taylor will turn 32 this season and averaged just 2.4 YPC in 2010. As one of the league’s best receiving backs, Forte doesn’t need more than 250 carries to be plenty productive. Just don’t expect a ton of touchdowns.

Forte showed up out of shape during training camp last season and immediately suffered a pulled hamstring. It was also later revealed he suffered a sprained MCL in the middle of the season that he fought through, which is one excuse for his disappointing 2009 season that saw his yardage drop from 1,715 his rookie year to 1,400. While the latter certainly wasn’t awful, and highlights just how big his contributions as a receiver are (considering his weak 3.6 YPC mark), the big problem was his decline in touchdowns, as he scored just four times after hitting paydirt 12 times the year before. The problem is quite simple — Forte is awful in short-yardage situations. He went 2-for-18 at the goal line last year and has converted only seven scores over 33 opportunities throughout his career, which is an anemic 21 percent. The addition of Chester Taylor to the Bears backfield will mean that Forte's presence as a receiver out of the backfield will be reduced, but he should still a good chunk of receptions in 2010. The addition of Jay Cutler didn’t boost Forte’s value as hoped last year, but it’s safe to expect a better performance by the QB during his second year in Chicago, and at least some of the blame on the poor rushing attack should fall on the team’s offensive line. The addition of Mike Martz as offensive coordinator should help, but the addition of Chester Taylor to the backfield negates most of the optimism for a Forte bounce back. Martz has already referred to his running backs as “two starters,” and Taylor is getting paid $7 million in 2010 — not exactly backup money. Taylor will turn 31 this season and is hardly a star, but a committee situation looks likely in Chicago.

Forte finished his impressive rookie campaign totaling 1,715 yards with 12 touchdowns, all while playing in an offense that ranked in the bottom 10 in the league. He averaged just 3.9 YPC, including a 3.3 mark over the final four games. However, that can be excused when you consider the 63 receptions and 477 receiving yards. In fact, no other back was responsible for a greater percentage of his team’s offensive production than Forte. He’s not a burner, but Forte also has no weaknesses, as he’s an adept blocker and dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield. He also proved to be durable, recording the fourth most carries in all of football with 316 while fighting through a painful toe injury over the final 2.5 games. He converted five of his 12 carries at the goal line for scores, so he’s in no danger of losing short-yardage work, either. Moreover, Forte should see far fewer loaded fronts this season after the Bears traded for Jay Cutler, a move that should improve the entire offense significantly. The team also brought in left tackle Orlando Pace, who should open up more holes in the running game. There are more explosive backs in the league but few who get carries between the 20s, record plenty of catches and also receive the bulk of the goal-line action. And because Forte is so active in the passing game, he’s less dependent on game situations and opponent, i.e., he can remain productive regardless of the score and even against dominant run defenses.

Playing for a Tulane team that focused its offense entirely around him, Forte put up video game like numbers last year, totaling more than 2,400 yards with 23 touchdowns. He was also named MVP of the Senior Bowl. His 2,127 rushing yards were the seventh-highest total in NCAA Division I history. At 6-1, 224, Forte doesn't have great speed but is a downhill runner who breaks tackles and exhibits good patience. He's also a willing blocker and solid receiver, which can explain why GM Jerry Angelo referred to him as a "three-down back." Forte also impressed coach Lovie Smith during minicamp, and there's a chance for him to win the starting job this summer, as incumbent Cedric Benson has been a monumental disappointment. Finally given a chance to be the team's lead back last year, Benson responded with just 3.4 YPC, struggled picking up blitzes and was arrested during the offseason. The Bears have an extremely thin receiving corps and a poor quarterback situation, so the offense is hardly a juggernaut. However, the defense should bounce back with improved health, and the drafting of Chris Williams can only help an offensive line that struggled with run blocking last season. The organization needs more production out of the running back position and barring a miraculous career turnaround by Benson, Forte should have a chance to step up and become the workhorse before too long.