Alshon Jeffery will need to have the biggest of seasons for the Chicago Bears offense to exceed expectations in 2015 -- and he’ll have every opportunity to get the job done.
Jeffery now takes over as the Bears No. 1 WR after the offseason trade that sent Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets.
Looking at the stat sheets, you likely wouldn’t have known Jeffery wasn’t the Bears’ No. 1 the last two seasons (174 receptions, 2,554 yards). But success likely won’t come as easy this season for Jeffery. A lack of depth is the reason.
With Kevin White starting the season on the PUP list after suffering a shin injury during offseason workouts, the Bears don’t have a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver to start opposite Jeffery. Immediately behind Jeffery on the depth chart is veteran Eddie Royal and the inexperienced Marquess Wilson -- neither of whom is a serious threat to a defense.
What Jeffery will benefit from is the arrival of offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who, along with head coach John Fox, have talked of being a run-first offense.
Last season, despite playing in one of the most unbalanced offenses in the league (63.1 percent pass-36.9 percent run), Jeffery still caught 85 passes on 145 targets for 1,133 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns.
Jeffery showed up to camp in the best shape of his career, any by all accounts looked great on the field before suffering a calf injury that forced him out of the first two preseason games.
If the injury isn’t serious and Jeffery can start the season relatively healthy, there’s no reason to think he can’t put up similar numbers to last season. He’ll get the targets, it’s only a matter of what he’ll able to do after catching the ball.
So let’s play a little game of What if?
Buy
Marquess Wilson, WR -- There’s no reason to think Wilson can’t be a productive WR2-3 if he were given starter’s reps on Sundays.
Wilson has come a long way since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. He almost didn’t make the team as a rookie. Now Wilson will be expected to play more snaps than he’s ever played in his short career.
At 6-4, 185 pounds, Wilson has the size and speed to be a mid-to-top tier wideout, but he must first master the route tree and playbook. What has hurt his development is the implementation of a new offense in each of his three seasons in the league.
Wilson recorded career highs in catches (17), yards (140) and touchdowns (1) last season as the Bears fifth or sixth option in the passing game. Even with a healthy Jeffery, the Bears will be expecting Wilson to be the burner Kevin White was supposed to be before his shin injury.
So, in a world where Jeffery isn’t available for the Bears, make sure you find Wilson.
Hold
Matt Forte - and his backup, Eddie Royal, and Martellus Bennett
Sell
Jay Cutler, QB -- Barring a resurgence, Cutler shouldn’t be someone you count on for fantasy points -- ever. And if the Bears were to lose Jeffery, there would be very little reason to keep Cutler on your roster.
Add
No one
Drop
Cutler -- See above