Chicago Bears should avoid these risky free agent wide receivers
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears free-agent wide receivers to avoid: John Ross
Speaking of oft-injured wide receivers, John Ross is coming up on his first trip to free agency after spending his first four years with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former first-round pick out of Washington came to the NFL as one of the fastest human beings on the planet, breaking the 40-yard dash record at the Combine back in 2017.
Since joining Cincinnati, Ross has appeared in just 27 games in four years. His best season is one of the oddest seasons you’ll ever see out of a wide receiver. In 2018, Ross hauled in just 21 of 58 receptions for 210 yards — but scored seven touchdowns on those 21 receptions.
The following year, Ross upped his receptions and yardage to 28 for 506 but scored just three times. It was a weird two seasons.
Last season, Ross appeared in just three games total. He was targeted seven times and caught two, for a whopping 17 yards.
He had fallen out of favor with the Bengals and late last season, Ross was even open to switching positions. On his second defensive snap at corner in practice, he suffered an injury that kept him out for the remainder of the year.
If he’s completely healthy, Ross has the potential to be a burner that could take the top off opposing defenses. But, health has been the biggest concern with Ross — not to mention lacking a full arsenal of routes he can run. This is another guy to avoid no matter what.