Chicago Bears should keep an eye on this late-season free agent target

The Chicago Bears first talked to DaeSean Hamilton during the 2018 NFL Draft process. Adding another receiver to the Chicago Bears core seemed ideal. Many had the Chicago Bears staying put or trading down early on for Calvin Ridley. It was even rumored that the Chicago Bears were attempting to trade back into the first round for Ridley but were unsuccessful.

The Chicago Bears did trade up for a receiver. It was the electric playmaker from Memphis, Anthony Miller. But what can you remember about DaeSean Hamilton? Did you know that he went two picks before the Chicago Bears were on the clock in round four? The Chicago Bears had done their homework on this receiver class. The plan seemed if they couldn’t get Calvin Ridley, then double down with two receivers.

Javon Wims was that other receiver that year drafted by the Chicago Bears. Joel Iyiegbuniwe was the odd pick in 2018 for the Chicago Bears. It was as if Ryan Pace had his eyes set on DaeSean Hamilton and was shocked he was unable to gain his services.

Now Ryan Pace has a chance to sweep up the prospect he missed out on drafting. There were rumors that Anthony Miller and Hamilton were on the trade block this past draft, but nothing seemed to work out. The Chicago Bears have a chance to acquire another slot specialist that is young and ready to thrive — at least once he recovers from his recent ACL tear.

Hamilton will come with injury and drop concerns, but he is very experienced in the slot. Unfortunately for him, Denver has been adding receivers to their wide receiver room nonstop since he arrived. The Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos can continue to swap players. Matt Nagy and Vic Fangio have a great relationship.

The Broncos acquired Bobby Massie and Kyle Fuller, while the Chicago Bears have acquired Elijah Wilkenson and could now add DaeSean Hamilton once he is healthy. This move would only be worth it once Hamilton has proven himself healthy, and if the Bears have a legit shot at the playoffs.

The average time for a wide receiver to recover from an ACL tear is six to eight months. We are looking at November or December before he is healthy, but depending on how the season is going, he could help this team.

Think about how the Buccaneers signed Antonio Brown in late October of last year. Hamilton is not likely to make that type of impact, but bringing in DaeSean Hamilton could be the right move depending on how the season is playing out should the backend of the receiver depth chart is not doing enough. Hamilton could replace the bottom of the depth chart whether that is Riley Ridley, Javon Wims or maybe even Anthony Miller.

The connection of players between the Bears and Broncos goes much deeper than just the past year. Danny Trevathan started for the Broncos during their Super Bowl years, while Bryce Callahan was a Bronco as soon as Vic Fangio became head coach.

The Chicago Bears receiver room is already stacked, but you can never have too much talent on the roster. As of writing this article, DaeSean Hamilton was healthy. Rumors are that he was waived, but with how the NFL is, he wasn’t waived, and the Broncos were talking trades. In fact, rumors are that the team had a trade partner lined up, but then news broke that he had torn his ACL while working out away from the Broncos facility.

The Chicago Bears should still be interested in finding a way to acquire his services once healthy as long as it makes sense at that point in the season. At the very worst, he could get a jumpstart to helping the team in 2022. Not to mention, he should come fairly cheap after the injury.