Taylor

Gabriel

Gabriel was released by the Bears ahead of the 2020 season. He then chose to opt out of the season despite drawing some interest as a free agent. Gabriel began his career as a UDFA in Cleveland, reaching 621 receiving yards as a rookie. He spent two years with the Falcons and another two with the Bears. An accomplished field-stretcher with impressive top-end speed, Gabriel ends his career with 228 receptions for 2,860 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Bears were facing this decision: keep Gabriel on his two-year, $14 million contract or release him with $2 million in dead cap. With Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller already on the roster, and with a loaded 2020 draft class to find Gabriel’s replacement, it was an easy decision. Gabriel will slide in the low-level starter tier in free agent ranks. As a 28-year-old last season, Gabriel averaged 39.2 yards across nine games.

Gabriel finishes the season with 29 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns in a career-low nine games. The Bears’ field-stretching WR has always provided more real-life value than fantasy football goodness. Gabriel could compete with Javon Wims in 2020 for a spot inside of three-WR sets alongside Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller. The Bears need to decide whether or not to keep Gabriel on a two-year contract worth $14 million or to release him and incur $2 million of dead cap.

Gabriel was an early rule out after not passing through the concussion protocol. The rest of Chicago’s inactives are OL Corey Levin, OL Bobby Massie, DL Abdullah Anderson, TE Bradley Sowell, DL Akiem Hicks, and RB Michael Joseph.

Anthony Miller will continue to work as the passing game’s undisputed No. 2 option. Miller scored seven touchdowns as a rookie despite playing with a bum shoulder. The absence of Gabriel and the offense’s top-three TEs has helped the talented second-year WR maintain a solid target share in recent weeks. Treat him as an upside WR3 in this home spot.

Gabriel hasn’t practiced since initially entering the league’s protocol nearly a month ago and, at this point, is closer to doubtful to appear in either of Chicago’s last two games. Anthony Miller has buoyed Gabriel’s absences into 10.4 targets per game in the Bears’ last five contests, ensuring the second-year slot magnet remains a strong WR3 against the Chiefs on Sunday. Coach Matt Nagy recently stated he wouldn’t bench the team’s starters despite being eliminated from playoff contention.

Javon Wims (knee, questionable) will continue to take Gabriel’s spot in three-WR sets alongside Anthony Miller and Allen Robinson. He’s a non-viable fantasy option as the No. 4 (at best) pass-game weapon in the Bears’ run-first offense.

Gabriel’s absence keeps Miller in play as a low-end WR3/4 as the second-year slot wideout has quietly out-targeted Allen Robinson 37 to 36 in their last four games together. Miller has a knockout on-paper matchup against 36-year-old Tramon Williams from the middle of the field on Sunday.

Ben Braunecker (concussion) is also out. Javon Wims and Anthony Miller will soak up the wideout snaps behind Allen Robinson, and Jesper Horsted will handle the bulk of the routes at tight end after catching a touchdown last Thursday.

As does TE Ben Braunecker. Anthony Miller has buoyed Gabriel’s frail status into 33 targets and a team-high 26 percent target share in the Bears’ last three games. If Gabriel and Braunecker aren’t cleared for Thursday, both Jesper Horsted and Miller will continue starting for Chicago with Javon Wims coming onto the field for three-wide sets. Miller would garner WR3 consideration against Dallas if Gabriel’s out.