Week 3 vs. Seattle
Martellus Bennett either leads the Bears or is tied for the lead in receptions (9), targets (13), receiving yards (103) and receiving touchdowns (1). With Alshon Jeffery likely sitting another game, his role becomes even more important.
However, Bennett has backup Jimmy Clausen throwing him the football in a tough matchup against one of the league's best secondaries in Seattle. He's still a low-end TE1, but he's not the must-start option he has been in the past.
Week 2 vs. Arizona
Martellus Bennett finished Week 1 with seven targets and caught five passes for 55 yards and a late touchdown. He was the only Bears player to be on the end of a receiving touchdown in Week 1.
Bennett will continue to have a large role in the Bears offense and should be considered a weekly TE1. He has a strong matchup against Arizona this week. The Cardinals didn't allow a lot to the position in Week 1, but that has more to do with the Saints not having a solid TE option. In 2014, the Cardinals allowed the most yards to tight ends.
Week 1 vs. Green Bay
Martellus Bennett looks to have a big role this week considering he's one of Jay Cutler's few fully healthy receiving options. The top three receivers for the Bears are questionable with injuries, leaving Bennett as someone who should see a lot of targets.
The Black Unicorn blew up against the Packers in the teams' first matchup a year ago, as he finished with nine receptions for 134 yards. The tight end talent pool is extremely shallow this season, but Bennett is one of the best in the league. He becomes a must-start option at the position.
Fantasy Upside
Martellus Bennett has emerged as one of the top options at his position since joining the Bears. He has had two career years and nearly had a 1,000-yard season in 2014. His 90 receptions were the most among tight ends a year ago, and he figures to be in for another big year.
Fantasy Downside
Bennett's two biggest seasons came with Marc Trestman calling the plays. So is his recent success due to his new home in Chicago or was it due to the offense? We'll find out this year.
Bottom Line
There aren't a lot of great options at tight end this year, so Bennett becomes even more valuable because he's proven to be a reliable asset. Rookie receiver Kevin White is likely done for the year, which means Jay Cutler will once again need to rely on Bennett's playmaking ability even more. He should be viewed as a strong TE1 and someone to target in the middle of drafts.
Martellus Bennett - Week 17 vs. Minnesota
Jimmy Clausen must hate tight ends. He threw to Martellus Bennett three times (season low) last week and Bennett finished with one catch for no yards. This week Bennett will get Jay Cutler. Bennett was targeted an average of over eight times a game with Cutler at quarterback.
Bennett faces a Vikings defense that's typically tough against tight ends. Last week the Vikings allowed 149 yards to the position.
Bennett should be viewed as a TE1 this week because of his upside. He's been one of the few reliable options at the position this season.
Martellus Bennett - Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
Martellus Bennett had back-to-back good games, but last week he didn't do so well. He had just four receptions for 36 yards on six targets. In the two games prior he double digit targets. The expectation was his role would increase with Brandon Marshall out of the equation, but that didn't seem to be the case.
The good news for Bennett is one of those two games he did well in was against the Lions, his opponent this week. He finished with eight receptions for 109 yards in that game. Although the second time around he'll have a different quarterback in Jimmy Clausen.
Bennett could be a safety valve for Clausen but could also struggle because Clausen isn't a proven quarterback. His potential makes him a TE1 option, but he's not an elite option.
Martellus Bennett - Week 15 vs. New Orleans
Martellus Bennett might benefit the most from Brandon Marshall's injury. The talented TE exploded last week catching 12-of-15 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown. Those are monster numbers in a PPR format. This now makes back-to-back weeks with double-digit targets for Bennett.
The Saints aren't necessarily a dream matchup for Bennett. They typically don't allow many points to the TE position. But given his increased role over the last few games, we'll ignore the matchup. He should be a strong TE1 option this week.
Martellus Bennett - Week 14 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Martellus Bennett returned in a big way last week. After a couple of down performances he finished with eight receptions for 109 yards on 11 targets. His yardage total was his second highest as a Bear.
This week Bennett gets to play a revenge game against the team that had him first, Dallas. Not only is a revenge game, but it's a favorable matchup. The Cowboys have allowed the most receptions (73) to tight ends this season. Bennett has proven to be a great PPR TE, so he gets a slight boost in those formats considering the matchup.
No matter what format you're in, however, Bennett should be viewed as a TE1 this week.
Martellus Bennett- Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions
Martellus Bennett has struggled this month. He has a combined 10 receptions for 111 yards through three games. He also hasn't caught a touchdown during that span.
He'll at least face a Lions defense that allowed New England tight ends to go for 114 yards and two touchdowns last week. The Lions have allowed at least five receptions to tight ends in eight games this season. If Bennett can catch at least five passes he'll be a good option.
Bennett is a low TE1 option this week.
Martellus Bennett - Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay
Last week Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery saw 27 of Jay Cutler’s 43 pass attempts. Martellus Bennett saw just four. He hauled all four of his targets in, but finished with just 29 yards. Bennett has proven to be a threat in the past, but he’s also been somewhat unreliable. He has three games below 40 yards and he’s caught just one touchdown in his last seven games.
But Bennett’s down games are better than most tight ends’ good games this season. And his upside makes it difficult to bench him. He should be viewed as a TE1 in a decent matchup against Tampa Bay.
