Chicago Bears Roster Review: Marquess Wilson

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquess Wilson (10) against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace has quite a rebuilding project on his hands.  In the next phase of our Chicago Bears Roster Review, we look at the players who are currently on the Bears roster.  We’ll look back at their 2014 season and look ahead to how they might fit into the team’s plans in 2015.

Marquess Wilson, WR, 26

2014 Review

Marquess Wilson had a disappointing 2014 season, to say the very least.  Many fans (myself included) expected big things out of the second year player, but he only mustered 17 receptions for 140 yards despite making 6 starts last season.  Injuries did their part to derail his second season before it even began, when Marquess Wilson broke his collar bone during a training camp practice.  Wilson was placed on injured reserve designated to return, and we all waited to see what he could do.  One week after Wilson’s return, Brandon Marshall went down, forcing Marquess Wilson into the staring lineup.  Marquess Wilson failed to take advantage of the opportunity, however, as I mentioned earlier.

As a Rookie, Marquess Wilson barely saw the field.  He recorded 2 receptions for 13 yards while appearing in 10 games.

2015 Outlook

2015 could be a big year for Marquess Wilson.  With the Bears trading Brandon Marshall to the Jets earlier in the off season, there are a lot of snaps to be accounted for.  While the subsequent addition of veteran Eddie Royal could make up for some of that, I view Royal as more of a slot receiver.  Of course, the Bears could draft Amari Cooper or Kevin White with the 7th overall pick, but for the time being Marquess Wilson seems to be the guy.  I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that.  On one hand, the fact that Wilson has failed to produce to this point in his young career is troublesome.  On the other hand, Marquess Wilson is still young and has enough raw physical talent that most analysts had him pegged as a second round pick before he quit his team and slid all the way to the seventh.

What do you guys think? Can Marquess Wilson be a starting caliber wide receiver in the NFL?  Should the Bears Draft a wide out with the seventh pick at the end of the month?  Let me know in the Comments…