Sam Roush

Roush was Matt Waldman's TE1 for his in-line TE rankings in the 2026 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Matt's in-line TE rankings places less value on man-to-man route running and greater value on in-line blocking while still emphasizing the player's value as a pass-catcher and ball carrier. 

Roush was the best in-line blocker of the 2026 TE class, and he's a skilled pass-catcher who can win contested plays and generate yards after the catch thanks to first-step quickness and power. 

Long-term, Roush will be the primary blocker and underneath zone receiver from the line of scrimmage. This will free the Bears to move Colston Loveland around the formation and maximize his matchups as a blocker and receiver. 

If Chicago generates enough mismatches in the passing game with 12 personnel, we might see Roush have seasons where he's a borderline or low-end fantasy TE1 while Loveland functions more like a top-15 fantasy WR.