Projecting which wide receivers make the Chicago Bears final roster
These three are guaranteed to make the final Chicago Bears roster
When we look at this current roster, I think it is pretty obvious which wide receivers are guaranteed to make the final roster.
Darnell Mooney
Not only is Darnell Mooney a lock to make this roster, but he is also going to be the top option for Justin Fields this season. Last year, Mooney finished with 1,055 yards receiving and four touchdowns. The TD numbers need to increase and so does his efficiency if he is going to be able to prove he’s a WR1 in this league. Mooney caught less than 60% of his passes last year — including nine drops. Had the team not had an extra game last year, he wouldn’t have surpassed that coveted 1,000-yard mark.
Mooney is easily a WR2 in the league despite Dan Orlovsky’s opinion on the matter. The real question is if he can become a WR1.
Byron Pringle
Although Byron Pringle has had an off-the-field incident that saw him getting arrested for doing donuts on a public street with a minor in the car, Pringle is a lock to make this roster. I don’t see that incident leading to him being cut. In fact, he might not even be suspended.
Pringle is coming off his best season. He was the WR3/4 in Kansas City and finished with 568 yards and five touchdowns. Unlike Mooney, Pringle was very efficient with his opportunities last year. He caught 70% of his targets despite having four drops. The hope here is that with increased volume, Pringle will put up bigger numbers.
Velus Jones, Jr.
I think it is safe to say that the Bears’ third-round rookie is a lock to make the final roster. Velus Jones was not the player many fans wanted to see drafted by the Chicago Bears at the WR position this year, but he is the guy Ryan Poles chose. He is also someone that Justin Fields apparently liked while going through the draft process.
Jones brings more speed to the team. He is a player who not only ran a 4.31 at the NFL Combine, but he runs with 4.3 speed on the field. He should help create yards after the catch and could help in the return game if needed.