The Wide Receiver position has been an afterthought for the Chicago Bears the past couple decades. To illustrate how below-average the WR position has been the past couple season’s, former Bears Tight-End Greg Olsen and Running Back Matt Forte lead the team in receptions each of those years.
It only took new General Manager Phil Emery one off-season to build up the group by acquiring arguably a top five talent in Brandon Marshall. While Marshall has dominated the headlines this past off-season, Alshon Jeffery is the most intriguing addition from the Bears off-season.
The 6-3 216 pound WR first got my attention his sophomore year with the South Carolina Gamecocks; where he compiled 88 catches, 1517 yards, nine touchdowns, and 108.4 yd/game average. Jeffery performance that year was the main reason why he was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, and rated the best player in the SEC by ESPN coming into his junior year.
So what is Jeffery’s ceiling in the league? The Bears drafted the WR this season with the intentions of him being a number two compliment to Marshall. Jeffery is an extremely talented athlete at the WR position. He has a big pair of hands, displaying throughout his career in South Carolina and in preseason play with the Bears that he’s a pretty good pass catcher.
The glaring strength in his game that separates him from WR’s on the team outside Marshall, is his great anticipation and jumping ability to high point the ball over nearly any cornerback. He’s also advance in getting off press coverage against physical corners.
From Scott Powers of ESPN.com/chicago
“Honestly, we just finished watching film; I’m actually learning from Alshon,” said the seven-year veteran Marshall prior to Tuesday’s practice. “Things he was able to do in press (coverage) these past few days, I wasn’t able to do when I first came to the NFL. I’m picking up things now.
“I’m sure he can learn a lot from me, but at the same time, I’ve already learned a lot of things 10 minutes ago. I wrote some things down learning from his game.”
I would say Jeffery’s ceiling is that he could be a legitimate number one WR down the line. He still needs to develop into a smoother route runner as he’s most likely won’t ever be a guy that creates separation with his speed. I wouldn’t be surprise a couple years down the line that he develops into a big dominate WR for the Bears.
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