Previewing the Chicago Bears wide receivers for 2017
Breaking down the Chicago Bears’ wide receiver situation for the 2017 season.
In preparation for the Chicago Bears’ upcoming 2017 season, we at Da Windy City are doing a day by day position preview. We started it off by looking at the quarterbacks on Friday and the running back situation for the Bears on Saturday. Today, we’re going to keep rolling with the offense as we check out the Bears’ interesting wide receiver situation for this season.
Mediocre or underrated?
In recent history, the Chicago Bears have had extremely talented offensive weapons However, it’s not 2014 anymore. The days of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery have uneventfully come and gone. However, the Bears still have some strong talent at the position.
This season, I believe the Bears have an interesting mix of receivers. Performance in the preseason is going to have a huge impact on which guys on the bubble make the cut.
Last season, The Bears saw the emergence of the undrafted Cameron Meredith. After Jeffery’s suspension last season, it was Meredith who stepped up for Chicago. He’s now entering the season as the Bears number one receiver after having 66 receptions for 888 yards and 4 touchdowns.
With almost a full season under his belt as a featured receiver, the hopes are that Meredith can continue his momentum into this season with quarterback Mike Glennon. The only thing that I could foresee holding Meredith back is a fellow third-year receiver, former seventh overall selection Kevin White.
Earlier in the week, I went in depth about the expectations for Kevin White this season. Like all fans, we’re all hoping this is finally the year White can stay healthy. If healthy, White should be able to emerge as a top option for Glennon.
Who’s new?
This offseason, the Bears made plenty of intriguing veteran acquisitions. Headlining the new acquisitions is former Giants slot receiver Victor Cruz and Markus Wheaton from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although he has been successful in the past, Cruz has been very plagued with injuries. The question with Cruz is whether he can still produce and if he’s worthy of a roster spot or not. Cruz’s Bears fate likely depends on his play in the preseason.
Wheaton, who’s also struggled with injuries will also be battling for a roster spot. Wheaton appears to be the more likely third option as a deep threat for Chicago if Cruz under performs. However, a recent appendectomy could set Wheaton back and open the door for another receiver to overthrow him on the theoretical depth chart.
The Bears have also acquired receiver Rueben Randle and Kendall Wright. Randle is a year removed from the league and Wright has a history of issues with his coaching staff from his time in Tennessee. Both seem to be relative long shots to make the roster, but preseason play will definitely influence whether one of them makes the 53-man roster or not. However, I don’t believe Wright squeaking in as a fourth option for Chicago is out of the question.
Young guys and long shots
Despite less than favorable memories, I believe Josh Bellamy will be with the Bears come time for the 53-man roster cut. Bellamy is a valuable special teams asset. However, I don’t see him on the field as a receiver unless the Bears suffer many, many injuries at the position.
I see Deonte Thompson in a similar situation as more of a special teams asset rather than a receiver.
Many young receivers have also been making an impact during training camp. Undrafted free agent Tanner Gentry has been impressing and has been developing chemistry with second overall pick Trubisky.
Another young talent, Daniel Braverman has been giving it his all for a spot on the roster during training camp. However, It’s most likely that Braverman and Gentry will remain on the practice squad for the Bears as the two show very intriguing upside.
Final thoughts
The Bears have a very interesting receiving core in the sense that there’s so much uncertainty with each receiver that you can’t really be sure what Chicago has here.
Assuming no injuries occur, Meredith appears to be the current number with Kevin White as a very close number two with the potential to overthrow Meredith. Wheaton appears to be the safest bet as a deep threat and third option for Chicago. Depending on performance in the pre-season, I can see either Cruz or Wright being the fourth option.
With all this uncertainty concerning health and reliability, the Bears wide receivers seem to be a jack of all trades.
Next: Previewing the Chicago Bears running backs for 2017
Should be interesting to say the least to watch the receivers either hopefully exceed expectations or fall apart one by one.