Chicago Bears Free Agency: Leonard Hankerson
With the trade of
Brandon Marshall, the Chicago Bears now have a hole at wide receiver. A player who could help fill that hole is
Leonard Hankersonat a bargain rate, after recovering from an injury.
More from Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
- Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
- Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
- Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations
Well, the shoe dropped for Brandon Marshall. He was traded on Friday to the New York Jets for what some are reporting is a fifth round draft pick.
With that trade, add wide receiver to the many holes the Chicago Bears have. They do have Alshon Jeffery (who, by the way, blossomed under Marshall’s wing), who now appears to be auditioning for a spot on the team in the future, as 2015 will be the last year of his rookie contract.
I understand what the new regime is trying to do. Much like Brian Urlacher said Emery was getting rid of Lovie Smith’s players, general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox want their players in as well.
This decision now makes free agency and the draft crucial for the offense. This regime better show they are better at getting receivers than previous front offices. They will need to sign a receiver (or two) in free agency, then pick a receiver in the draft that will make an long-term impact.
Chicago Bears
I already wrote about the Bears picking up Torrey Smith to be the speedster who could stretch the defense. Another good pickup may be Leonard Hankerson.
Hankerson was Washington’s third-round selection (79th overall) in the 2011 draft. He spent his rookie season trying to adjust to Washington’s offense. In 2012, he had 38 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns.
He was on his way to having a very good season in 2013, making the starting lineup. He had 30 catches for 375 in 10 games before he tore his LCL and missed the rest of the season.
He started 2014 on the PUP list until November 4th, but head coach Jay Gruden could not decide on how to use him, so he was deactivated after just one game.
Hankerson has the skill-set to be successful with the Bears. One criticism of Marshall was that he would break off routes to try to get more open, and it cost Cutler some interceptions. Well, Cutler should not have that excuse, or rather, problem with Hankerson.
Hankerson is a precise route runner. He will be exactly where Cutler and the coaching staff expect him to be. Also, even though he doesn’t have the size of Brandon Marshall, Hankerson has size. He is 6-foot-2, and weighs 210 pounds. He will be able to out jump defensive backs for the ball when needed.
One thing that could make Hankerson very attractive to the Bears is that he can be signed at a bargain price. Coming off an injury, he can be had for two years and at less than $2 million per season. He is young, so his better years could be ahead of him. If it doesn’t work out, however, it won’t cost an arm and a leg like some contracts the Bears have now.
For his part, Hankerson is continuing to work hard in the offseason the same way he always does.
“I’m going to be doing the same thing I’ve been doing,” he said. “Taking it into the offseason, work hard, do what I got to do to get better every day, stay on the grind. That’s all I can do, control what I can control.
“That’s all I’ve been saying each and every year and just keep working.”
The Bears could hit the jackpot by signing Leonard Hankerson to a bargain-price contract and having him succeed. With all the holes they have, plugging one up with a team-friendly deal would be crucial for their success.