Chicago Bears Player Props: Which Receiver Will Thrive in New-Look Offense?

With the NFL season a month away, the Chicago Bears take center stage as America tunes in to Hard Knocks on HBO and MAX. Wide receiver D.J. Moore signed a four-year extension worth $110 million, but which Chicago Bears player props should you target in the season-long markets? We’ll take a deep dive into the Bears and see if any player props are worth wagering on.

Click on any of the odds below to wager and lock in Chicago Bears odds and player props at the best sports betting apps and websites.

new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron

Before placing a bet on Chicago Bears player props, it’s essential to analyze the work of new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. He enters with 19 years of experience, including 10 in the NFL. He spent the last three years in Seattle as the OC, guiding them to the 10-highest EPA in 2023, a steady improvement from 14th in 2021 and 13th in 2022.

His offensive scheme, which uses plenty of pre-snap motion, aided Geno Smith in winning the CPOY award in 2022. Smith led the NFL in completion percentage at 69.8 percent and set countless franchise records, including most passing yards in a season (4,282). That Seahawks offense featured an elite one-two punch at WR with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. They employed 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) at a 46% usage rate on early downs, with a 71% pass rate.

After drafting Jaxson Smith-Njigba last year, the usage rate of 11 personnel ballooned to 58% on early downs. That showed Waldron’s willingness to adjust to his personnel.

In 2022 and 2023, Waldron’s squad averaged 33.8 pass attempts per game. That’s a stark difference from a Bears squad that averaged 30.2 per contest (28th).

This Bears offense will feature three stud receivers in Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze. We can expect a lot of 11 personnel on early downs and a massive increase in pass attempts per contest, even with a rookie QB under center. But which of the three receivers is poised for a big campaign?

Keenan Allen

During Waldron’s time as the Seahawks’ OC, one receiver spot has always shined: the slot.

• 2021: Tyler Locket: 41% of snaps out of the slot and led the team with 1,175 yards.
• 2022: Lockett: 41% of snaps in the slot and had 1,072 yards.

Last year, the arrival of Smith-Njigba ate into Lockett’s slot time and target share. He had his first year of fewer than 1,000 yards since 2018. The same can’t be said for Odunze, who is likely to set up outside instead of eating into Allen’s slot snaps.

Odunze fits the mold of an X receiver, standing at 6-foot-3. His big frame allows him to make contested catches downfield against undersized defensive backs. He can still play in the slot thanks to his ability to make plays in traffic, but Allen will take the lion’s share of those reps. Allen’s creative route running has given him separation against the best corners in the league since his 2013 arrival.

This craftiness allowed him to reel in 27 third-down receptions last year, 22 of which resulted in first downs (fifth in the NFL). In 2021, when he played in all 16 games, he tallied 31 receptions on third down, 25 (fourth-most) resulting in first downs. Although he’s entering his 12th season in the league, Allen remains an elite third-down target. That provides a reliable spot for Caleb Williams to lean on, especially with Moore drawing the most difficult defensive assignments on the outside.

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON CHICAGO BEARS PLAYER PROPS

Although it’s difficult to project how an offense will fare with a new OC and a rookie QB, it’s undeniable the offensive situation in Chicago is on the rise. Sure, Williams will go through growing pains. But a veteran receiver like Allen should make life easier for the USC product, specifically on third down.

All this being said, there is risk that comes with playing an over here. Allen has dealt with lingering hamstring injuries throughout his career, and that could certainly happen again. Season-long unders have hit roughly 60% in recent years. But even if Allen misses time, 775.5 receiving yards (available at FanDuel Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook) is still a number he can eclipse. Remember, last year he tallied 1,243 yards in just 13 games.

Lastly, Allen is playing in the final year of a four-year contract. The 32-year-old is motivated to have another solid season and ink one more big contract next offseason.

Best of luck betting on Chicago Bears player props for this upcoming season.