One position all Chicago Bears fans needed to watch during the first preseason game was the wide receiver group. There are so many questions and plenty of depth names at the position so the first game action was a great chance to make the picture a little clear.
Which wide receivers were able to help their case, and after seeing how the coaches used each player, and how they performed, how does the depth chart look?
Chicago Bears WR1. Darnell Mooney
This one is pretty obvious and the explosive reception from Justin Fields did confirm some things that may hint at Mooney being ready to break out.
2. Equanimeous St. Brown
St. Brown was the number two on Saturday and flashed in a complimentary role that the Chicago Bears saw him filling. He helped Mooney get open on his reception and had some good moments as a blocker. This will help keep him on the field on the outside this season.
3. Velus Jones
Jones did not play but is on the likely track to get most of his work in the slot with the other two on the outside.
4. Byron Pringle
You could argue Pringle vs Jones at this point, and both are banged up so it did not change during the game. Pringle is more likely to be questionable for Week One, so Jones gets the slight nod.
5. Dante Pettis
Dante Pettis returned punts, and while he only fair caught a few, clean catches were better than what some of his teammates did. Pettis also ran strong routes, and flashed as a blocker, giving him a clear inside track to the roster.
6. Tajae Sharpe
Sharpe made a few big plays, but we have to remember who he is and what he has done in his career. He can be a nice veteran to keep things balanced at the bottom of the roster, but yesterday only helped him minimally.
7. Dazz Newsome
Dazz Newsome was given a real chance when he was asked to be the starting punt returner. Then he muffed a punt, and Dante Pettis looked much better fielding them. Newsome did get some designed work, which shows Luke Getsy is not just discarding him, but he still has to outwork some others.
8. Isaiah Coulter
The big thing going for Coulter is that he is a prominent outside wide receiver when players such as Newsome, Jones, Pringle, and Pettis are looked at more in the slot. Even behind him is a couple of slot players. This got Coulter on the field for plenty of outside reps in the first preseason game and he looked comfortable enough to put him here.
9. Chris Finke
Finke got glowing reports in camp, but his usage did not match. He was clearly behind guys like Newsome in all phases, and Coulter flashed more on the outside as well. It seemed like the coaches wanted to see the other players more.
10. David Moore
Moore missed the game with an injury, which has to hurt his chances of making the roster.
11. Nsimba Webster
Webster is known for being a return man, but he is behind Trestan Ebner, Dazz Newsome and Dante Pettis in all areas. He is going to be on the outside of the roster soon.
12. Kevin Shaa
Shaa was on the field a decent bit late into the game, but he is an undersized slot return man who would have to beat out Dazz Newsome to find a roster spot.