A look at Chicago Bears TE Dion Sims fantasy value in 2017.
Despite having a quality tight end in Zach Miller, the Chicago Bears brought in Dion Sims for some much-needed depth at the position for the 2017 season. Sims has spent the last four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and comes to the Bears with an opportunity to have his best season as a pro.
Miller is not a great blocking tight end, but Sims has tremendous value as an additional blocker. Sims may not be a game breaker in the passing game, but he does have reliable hands that a quarterback shouldn’t be afraid to utilize.
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Sims will start 2017 with no fantasy value but that may change. First of all, Miller is injury-prone. If Miller goes down with an injury (he’s never played 16 games in his entire career), the door will open for someone else to get targets from the tight end position.
Unfortunately for Sims, that target may become rookie Adam Shaheen. Shaheen was the Bears second round pick, but comes from little-known Ashland College and will probably need time to develop. If Shaheen catches the NFL by storm, he will take targets away from Miller and guarantee Sims to remain in fantasy obscurity. However, if Shaheen is quiet this year while he adjusts to the speed of the NFL, that will keep Sims firmly in the TE2 role for Chicago.
Basically, it’s hard-pressed to see Sims becoming a reliable fantasy tight end. However, if Shaheen is slow to develop and Miller is hurt, two things that are more probable than not, Sims may become worthy of a TE2 spot on your fantasy roster because he will get pass-catching opportunities.
Related Story: Adam Shaheen: 2017 Fantasy Value
At draft time, Sims is a firm pass in all fantasy leagues, even deep leagues, but he is worth monitoring if Miller goes down with an injury.
Dion Sims 2017 Projection- 31 catches, 292 yards, 9.4 YPC, 2 TDs