REBUILD: WHERE TO START (PT 5: WR/TE)
Welcome back to the fifth installment of our position-by-position rebuilding a franchise discussion. As always, we will look into what positions should be focused on; the why's and why not's. I will do my best to stay neutral and focus on the Bears' history.
PART FIVE: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Many talented receivers have come and gone through the Bears' organization. We had cases of what-if receivers like Johnny Knox and Kevin White. We had flash in the pan receivers like Cameron Meredith and Anthony Miller. We also had talent go to waste like that of Curtis Conway and Allen Robinson. The fact of the matter is, the Bears are more likely to throw the ball to their running back or tight end than to a receiver. On the other hand, the argument could be made that there hasn't been a solid enough quarterback to justify throwing the ball. I mean, Jay Cutler is the team's all-time passing leader. An issue that has hopefully been solved.
The receiving corps of the Bears has never truly been "star-studded." They have had much more popular tight ends than they have wide receivers. Many of you will argue for Devin Hester or Willie Gault. To that I say, neither of them broke 1000 yards receiving. Gault came close in 1990 with the Raiders. Devin Hester was a corner, converted to receiver, and a return STUD and we will definitely get to him on the special team installment. But you can't say Bears tight ends and not say Ditka! In his rookie year, he had 1096 yards receiving. We also had Greg Olsen for four all too short years. He went on to have three 1000 yard years in his time with the Panthers.
The top five Bears' receiving record holders are:TE- Johnny Morris (5059 yds)WR/TE/RB- Harlon Hill (4616 yds)WR- Alshon Jeffery (4549 yds)RB- Walter Payton (4538 yds)TE- Mike Ditka (4503 yds)
The Bears currently have six receivers and four tight ends. The anchors for this year's receiving corp will be Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. We have speed, hands, hope, and youth. What is really missing is a veteran. As the Bears have let go of Allen Robinson, Jimmy Graham, and Jesse James. If you've been looking at the "expert" mock drafts, every one of them has the Bears taking at least one receiver in this year's draft. The Bears have been linked to multiple visits with NDSU's Christian Watson. Do they go with a build from the ground up and draft a guy like Watson? Or, do they hit free agency and sign someone like Will Fuller from a receiver market that has hopefully slowed more since the Christian Kirk signing.
