Quarterback? Tight end? Offensive line? Those are typically the three position groups Chicago Bears fans and media talk about when determining where GM Ryan Pace will focus when the market opens on March 18th. This isn't a surprise. The team has huge questions in all three areas. However, is it wise to overlook wide receiver at this point? Not if one is being honest.
Allen Robinson is a stud but also in the last year of his contract. Anthony Miller played strong in 2019 too but suffered a shoulder injury that requires surgery. His second on that particular arm. Taylor Gabriel was just cut. Javon Wims and Riley Ridley didn't do much with their opportunities. Cordarrelle Patterson is a nice weapon but not a full-time receiver. So yeah. They might need one or two additions in that area as well.
While most are focused on an exceedingly loaded draft class, Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network believes the market for veteran receivers will be cheaper than normal. Something a cash-strapped team like the Bears could take full advantage of.
"On Tuesday, I detailed how the free agent market at the wide receiver position may shake out at the top. Sources here at the NFL Combine tell me that many of the free agent wideouts will be disappointed in the contracts offered as teams will happily turn to the NFL Draft to select one of the talented receivers available this year. Last night (and below), I mentioned a similar dilemma that veteran free agent running backs are expected to face."
Chicago Bears could score a good player in this vacuum
Most of the attention on wide receivers in a couple of weeks will center on two names. Amari Cooper and A.J. Green. Both are expected to stay with their current teams, either via long-term deals or the franchise tag. Outside of them though? There aren't a lot of guys teams will likely view as top priorities thanks to the draft. That means they may have to wait to get signed, which will only drive their prices down further.
This includes notable names like Robby Anderson, Demarcus Robinson, Breshad Perriman, Randall Cobb, and Emmanuel Sanders among others. Any one of them would be considerable boosts to the Bears' passing game. Anderson will likely cost a lot given his youth and speed but the others won't be too rich. Pace could potentially score one of them on a team-friendly one-year deal while also drafting a receiver in the 2nd round as well.
That could drastically overhaul the entire position, giving Chicago legitimate firepower they've lacked for years.
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