Wide Receiver
After saying goodbye to Taylor Gabriel earlier this offseason, the Bears were desperately thin at wide receiver. Allen Robinson is undoubtedly the team’s number one receiver, despite what Ryan Clark believes, but after that is where things become unclear.
Anthony Miller had a tremendous rookie year, in which he hauled in seven touchdowns despite being hampered by a separated shoulder. He was expected to take the next step in 2019, but while his yardage increase, he crossed the goal line just twice.
Cordarrelle Patterson was signed to a two-year deal, but his best year at wide receiver came as a rookie way back in 2013. And he may end up being better served as a backup running back, who can carry the ball 10-15 times a game to spell David Montgomery.
So it made sense that Pace added both Ted Ginn Jr. and Darnell Mooney in free agency and the draft, respectively. Ginn is the 35-year-old veteran, and he’s indicated that his speed remains intact. He’s three years removed from an 800-yard season with the Saints, and the Bears are hoping he can recreate that.
And with nearly an identical 40-time, Mooney is the Ginn protege. At Tulane, Mooney posted back-to-back 48 reception seasons. In his junior year, he nearly accumulated 1,000 yards to go along with eight touchdowns and a 20.7 yards-per-catch average. Last year, his numbers dipped slightly, to the tune of 713 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The Bears will also need to figure out what they have in Javon Wims and Riley Ridley.
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