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How promising is Chicago Bears rookie receiver Javon Wims?

By Julian Northcross

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Javon Wims #83 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Javon Wims #83 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Every time we’ve seen Javon Wims take the field this season, he’s looked pretty good hasn’t he?

The seventh-round selection may have expected his role to increase slightly after being activated for Sunday’s game. What rookie receiver Javon Wims wasn’t expecting was to be a clutch catcher in the waning moments of a game with major playoff implications.

We first saw Wims in the opening preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. He flashed some promise with a seven reception, 89-yard performance. He would end the preseason with 15 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown. His productivity in the preseason earned him a spot on the 53-man roster, which was not a given.

Fast forward almost five months later, and Wims may find himself as an active participant in the NFL playoffs.

After losing Anthony Miller in the first half after what appeared to be another shoulder dislocation, it was clear Wims number would be called much more in the game. After Taylor Gabriel also suffered an injury taking him out, Wims was one of the few receiver numbers left. HIs stats weren’t gaudy, four receptions for 32 yards, but two of them came in the fourth quarter on big third down conversions.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter with a big third down needing to be converted, Javon Wims ran a hard, ten-yard curl route with cornerback Trae Waynes draped over him. He held on. Five game-minutes later, on third and seven, Wims runs an 8-yard out route and hauls in Trubisky’s pass. That drive would not only end in a Tarik Cohen touchdown, but it would cap off a possession that lasted over nine minutes and was the longest drive of the season for the Bears.

Wims’ fourth-quarter production ended the Minnesota Vikings‘ chances of making the playoffs as well as solidifying the season sweep against the division rival. With the score being 13-10 prior to his first third-down conversion, giving the ball back to the Vikings after they had scored the previous drive could have meant Chicago would play them the next week in the Wild Card.

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At both his alma mater Georgia and in few opportunities in the NFL, Wims has shown above average route running and strong hands. His 6’3 frame and underrated acceleration may make him another one of those late-round Ryan Pace gems.

With a receiving corp that has suffered injuries, Wims will be asked to make some big plays in the largest games of his life. Javon has played in some meaningful games in college, but the NFL playoffs is a different task.

Will Javon Wims be a major contributor for the Chicago Bears in the playoffs or will we have to wait to see his potential?

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