Chicago Bears: 2020 projected wide receiver depth chart pre-training camp
By Joseph Herff
Slot Wide Receiver
- Anthony Miller
- Riley Ridley
- Cordarrelle Patterson
The slot wide receiver is occupied by Anthony Miller, as it has for the two seasons prior. Miller shows great explosiveness and borderline elite route-running against man coverage but has had issues with many other things in the offense. He struggles with knowing where he is supposed to be which comes with his inexperience, but he can develop into one of the best slots in the NFL if he takes the next step.
Miller had polar opposite seasons in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, Miller only caught 33 passes for 423 yards and caught seven touchdowns. In 2019 however, he caught more passes and yards (52, 656) but only two touchdowns. He is a great touchdown wide receiver as he was in college, but last season he seemed to struggle with that. He should take another step forward for the 2020 season as he enters his third season (wide receiver breakout season).
Backing up Anthony Miller is the Bears’ fourth-round draft pick from the 2019 NFL Draft Riley Ridley. Ridley almost never saw the field in 2019 due to Anthony Miller being there, but when Gabriel went down, he saw it a little more. Ridley was arguably one of the best route runners of his class. Ridley may even have a chance to start at ‘Z’ if the Bears don’t want speed there.
Ridley only caught 6 passes for 69 yards but showed in that limited time his ability to find space and get open for his quarterback. Multiple times, Mitchell Trubisky was scrambling and Ridley planted himself open for Mitch to hit. Ridley may see the field more this upcoming season.
Cordarrelle Patterson will mainly be used for gimmicky plays. He won’t have much playing time but will be used in screens and even as a running back at sometimes.
Next. These 4 tight ends will win the depth chart battle. dark
Final Thoughts:
The guy who I didn’t mention on here that I think could be a factor in the future is rookie UDFA Ahmad Wagner. He could make the practice squad and replace Javon Wims after his contract expires.
Additionally, again this is just what I think should and will happen with the Bears’ depth chart. I believe some of these backups will get more playing time than others, but these should be the starting three wide receivers.