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The Bears have several pressing needs this offseason, and wide receiver is near the top of the list. With the development of quarterback Justin Fields a focal point, surrounding him with offensive weapons is key.
Darnell Mooney is the only dependable receiver currently under contract, so there’s plenty of work to do with Chicago’s receiving corp in free agency and the NFL draft.
This week at the NFL Scouting Combine, new Bears general manager Ryan Poles explained exactly what he’s looking for in a wide receiver. It’s simple enough: Playmakers.
“They come in different shapes and sizes and speeds,” Poles said. “I think it comes down to playmakers. I think we saw that in the Super Bowl. Guys that can make plays when their number is called, and that’s what we look for, and you can see that on college tape.”
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus echoed Poles’ sentiment of finding explosive playmakers who can bring the pressure on a defense.
“You want explosive, athletic ability there that can produce chunk plays,” Eberflus said. “So if you throw a screen, you want a guy that can take it and go for 15 or all the way. The controlled passing game is just that, but the athletes are the guys that make you miss. … So you have guys that are quick, explosive, strong.
“They have to be strong at the point of attack to be able to block. We’re gonna put a big onus on the running game. They have to be able to do that. Then you have to have different traits at different positions. One guy might be quick and he’s really a short-route runner. Another guy can do it all. That would be our No. 1 receiver. Should be able to do that. And the other guy should be able to take the top off the defense. That puts stress on the defense.”
There are a number of those playmakers slated to hit the free agent market and will be available in the NFL Draft. We’ll see what Poles chooses to do to surround Fields with those playmakers that could elevate the offense.
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