The Chicago Bears are consumed with finding a quarterback in 2017. Such is the life of most teams that don't have one. Yet this can't be their only focus. Teams that finish 3-13 don't have that luxury. Other areas will require their attention from the defensive secondary to their almost totally devoid tight end position.
Still, that doesn't mean there is nothing for fans to be excited about. There are also plenty of young players on the roster who appear ready to take their games to the next level. Jordan Howard already reached his first Pro Bowl as a rookie. Cody Whitehair became an unexpected fixture a center for them. Leonard Floyd looked like that dynamic edge rush they'll need to reach the next level on defense.
However, there is another name on the roster who isn't getting enough credit. Somebody who seems poised to have a breakout season in 2017 and is garnering respect.
ASCENDING TALENT
Pro Football Focus recently did a fascinating study trying to determine which wide receivers in the NFL were the best at running each specific passing route in the tree. For example, the Ravens' Mike Wallace was tops at running slants, superstar Julio Jones dominated in and out routes and A.J. Green was a master at posts and corners. One wouldn't think that a Bears receiver would even be on the list. Turns out that's not entirely true. Chicago is in fact represented, and not by the man everybody is likely thinking of at this very moment. It was none other than Cameron Meredith, and his weapon of choice? The double move."Cameron Meredith scored four touchdowns in 2016, two on double moves. Meredith caught all 5 of his targets for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had a perfect receiver rating of 158.3 and averaged 26.2 yards per catch. He caught 37 of the 49 passes thrown to him when running just the first aspect of the route i.e. just the slant, not the slant and go, which lured defenders into sitting on the first move, allowing Meredith to explode by them."Meredith showcased that ability from the very beginning this past season. Once he elevated into the starting lineup, he broke out in a game against the Indianapolis Colts with 130 yards and a touchdown. It was that TD, the first of his career where he showcased how adept he is at running the double move.







