When news first dropped that Keenan Allen, one of the most established veteran receivers in the league, was traded for a measly third-day NFL Draft pick, I was mad. And I’m far from being a Chargers fan. But, I view myself as one of Allen’s biggest fans.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old has plenty of high-caliber football left in him.
Allen isn’t the villain some media outlets are making him out to be. Coming off a career year where he set bests in receiving yards per game (95.6) and points per reception fantasy points per game (21.5), I would tell my team to kick rocks, too, if they asked me to take a pay cut.
So, onward to Chicago to a Bears team that is seemingly completely revamping its offense. Allen should, in theory, retain a majority of fantasy (and career) relevancy in his move to the Midwest. Los Angeles, who is no doubt shifting to a run-first offense under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, still lost this trade and will be depleted in the passing game regardless of a projected top receiver draft at pick No. 5.
Allen finished as the eighth-best fantasy wide receiver despite missing the season’s final four games (ankle). That placement moves to third-best had he played all 17.
ALLEN, MOORE SHOULD THRIVE TOGETHER IN CHICAGO
Allen’s receptions should decline from the 11.5 per game he saw in L.A. as he enters the slot alongside D.J. Moore, but the duo should thrive off each other for fantasy purposes.
After moving on from Justin Fields, Chicago will likely draft quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1. The combination of Allen and Moore is one of the best 1-2 punches a rookie quarterback has ever seen. Moore finished as the No. 6 overall receiver but still trailed Allen in receiving yards per game, targets, and receptions despite playing a full season.
Fantasy analyst Matt Harmon predicts Moore will be Chicago’s No. 1 simply because he plays on the outside, but thinks Allen can still reach the 80-reception mark with a presumed “all guns blazing” Williams under center. I tend to agree. However, I think Allen is the more reliable option for the next Bears’ quarterback, with his career success and veteran-caliber play. Allen’s voice won’t be muffled by Moore’s in the locker room or on the field.
“I love the way Moore and Allen’s skills complement each other at this point in their respective careers,” Harmon writes. “Allen is one of the league’s premier technicians and still separates on short and intermediate routes. He’s incredibly quarterback-friendly with great hands and ideal timing as a route runner…Moore is a strong option as the No. 1 outside receiver and Chicago will likely be more conservative from a run/pass ratio standpoint with a rookie quarterback than Los Angeles was under Justin Herbert.”
We saw Fields’ unsuccessful play in Chicago, and even if Williams’ first-year play parallels Fields’ as he grows into the pros, having an X and Y receiver can only be positive.
SUMMARY: KEENAN ALLEN 2024 FANTASY OUTLOOK
With Allen having six or more touchdowns in seven of his 11 played and Moore reaching the same plateau in his first season as a Bear, the trade of Allen to Chicago makes more sense than the reactionary first impression many had. As of the end of March, Allen currently has an ADP of No. 34 overall and is the No. 17-best receiver. The Wolf isn’t as high on Allen as of now, dropping him to WR28 overall on his updated 2024 Fantasy Rankings.
