Second Tier Free Agent Wide Recievers The Bears Should Consider
I know it’s all about the Scouting Combine right now, but free agency is right around the corner and we have a lot of ground to cover. Last week we discussed some of the Top Tier Free Agent Wide Receivers that might be available for the Chicago Bears.
As we all know, the McCaskey’s have been known to cheap out from time to time. Besides, with as many holes as the Bears have to fill and $20-some million in salary cap space, they might not be able to go get the most coveted free agents. Let’s look at some of the “second tier” free agent wide receivers who might give the Bears a little more bang for their buck.
Robert Meachem
Here’s an example of a guy playing in another guy’s shadow. With all the weapons that Drew Brees and the Saints have at their disposal, Meachem slides under the radar. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, he’s got that bigger receiver size and at just 27 he’s entering his prime. His 40 catches, including 6 for touchdowns, would rank tops among Bears wideouts.
Laurent Robinson
Robinson is a very under the radar guy, especially with all the big names in Big D. But his numbers are very not under the radar. He racked up 11 touchdowns and nearly 900 yards receiving in just 14 games. And that’s while fighting for catches with Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. The big worry is whether he’s a one-hit wonder. Oh and that whole former Cowboys wide receiver thing, um Roy Williams and Sam Hurd much?
Reggie Wayne
Wayne is definitely on the down side of his career but he’s got the experience to pull this off. With Peyton Manning heading out of Indy, Wayne might be heading out of town too. If he doesn’t follow Peyton, he could be a stopgap to help bring along a wide receiver corp in desperate need of a veteran presence. I only advocate this move if the Bears draft a young wide receiver.
Pierre Garcon
Garcon doesn’t have the prototype size of the #1 wide receiver the Bears seek, but he’s put up big numbers in Indianapolis as Reggie Wayne’s understudy. He hauled in 70 balls in 2011 with 6 TD’s. At 25, he’s got a lot of upside.
Mario Manningham
Manningham had a down year in 2011 but he’s still boasting another some Super Bowl bling and a highlight reel catch to go with it. He’s in the lower tier of the second tier in my book, but even that would be an improvement to the Bears wide receivers group.
Eddie Royal
Royal had his best season in his rookie year with you know who as his quarterback in Denver. He had a down year in 2011 with the Broncos, but with Tim Tebow at the controls, all their wide receivers had a down year. He’s not the big target you’d like at only 5’10” but he could bolster the Bears wide receiver corp nonetheless.
Early Doucet
Doucet is another under the radar type, playing in Larry Fitzgerald’s shadow. His 54 catches and 5 TD’s would be a welcomed addition to the Bears. He doesn’t have ideal size, but when you’re desperate enough, this could be a good option.
What do you think? Do any of these guys make sense for the Bears? Could their be a hidden gem in this group?