Chicago Bears: Breaking Down the WR Room Post Draft

Chicago Bears: Breaking Down the Wide Receiver Room Post Draft

With all of the additions made to the wide receiver it is almost impossible to compare to last season. Last season the Chicago Bears first 53-man roster featured Kevin White, Josh Bellamy, Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright and Deonte Thompson. This year, at least three of those names are gone, and the two others are not ensure anything either. When looking at the room you can essentially break the position into three or four tiers.

Tier 1 Starters

Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller

These are the three who are assured to make the team. They are assured the most playing time. They mesh well together on paper. Gabriel can play on the outside and catch screens, run the go and reverses. Gabriel and Miller can also move in and out of the slot. If all goes well, these three should be carrying a wide receiver corps.

Tier 2 Jump Ballers

Kevin White, Javon Wims, Marlon Brown, Tanner Gentry

One, and potentially two of these players are going to wind up making the roster. It likely in sorted in order as they are mentioned above. All of these players have the size, and jump ball ability to make plays down the field. They are not going to put in a ten catch game. However, as a depth receiver they can flip the field with deep passing and catch touchdowns in the red zone. At this point, would you expect more from Kevin White? Wims and Brown bring the same mentality, and of course, the Bears tried to get Gentry into this role last season.

Tier 4 Special Teams

Bennie Fowler, Demarcus Ayers, Josh Bellamy, Tanner Gentry

You will notice that Gentry is the only name on both lists. While you could argue that his versatility to be considered with both is a case to make the roster, you could also consider the teams urgency in throwing resources at this spot to assume that they would like a better jump baller and special teamer than Gentry.

Fowler is a punt return option who has always played more special teams than wide receiver and Ayers has return ability too. Considering Bellamy has lived on this roster based on his special teams ability, it seems as though, one and potentially two of these players will also make. However, it seems more likely that two jump ballers would make it over two of the special teamers. Of course, the Chicago Bears could also just choose one from each group and move forward with an almost brand new set of five.