The Chicago Bears are going to have more competition at wide receiver this offseason than they typically have in years past. This should bring notice to depth players such as Anthony Miller, Riley Ridley, and Javon Wims. Wims is not a fan favorite after failing to connect in the playoffs, and connecting on a punch with CGJ earlier in the season against the Saints.
Still, the team has not released him yet and is giving him a chance to prove himself in training camp this offseason. Wims may not be a top candidate to start, but he is more likely to make the roster in 2021 than not, and the biggest key in his blocking prowess.
Javon Wims provides underrated value for Chicago Bears
Blocking does not get much praise for WRs, but when you have one who can do it, it becomes valuable. Check out Wims at the top of the screen in the play above. Tarik Cohen breaks to the outside, where Wims has his man locked up and is shoving him past the 45 and towards midfield. The block springs Cohen for extra yards and moved the chains.
The clip above was from early in the season, but what is worth noting is that Javon Wims started to see his snaps increase after the Chicago Bears bye week. In the Bears final six games, Wims played over 57% of his total snaps for the season.
Wims blocked on 154 snaps last season, and 96 of them came after the bye week. The Chicago Bears had a plan to improve on the ground after the bye. That meant more Wims and more Cole Kmet on the field.
It obviously paid off as Montgomery and the Bears got hot down the stretch. Check out his block below on a screen for Montgomery. You can see him at the top again and holding the block as Montgomery runs well over ten yards to meet up with Wims.
Last season Darnell Mooney and Allen Robinson spent about 30% of their offensive snaps blocking. Anthony Miller was down at 24%. Javon Wims was a blocker on 46% of his offensive snaps last season. As funny as it is, Jimmy Graham only blocked on 36% of his offensive snaps.
The Chicago Bears clearly see a value in this trait that Wims has that others do not. They call on him specifically to add blocking value, even more than they do a tight end that they signed.
When you are not a star or even a starting wide receiver you have to find your niche or role on the team. A lot of players make it on special teams, some are just splash players who can create down the field. For Javon Wims, his best trait is his run blocking. The Bears know this and value this enough that there is a better chance he sticks around in 2021 than some fans would like.