The Chicago Bears are in the mix for free-agent receivers Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins, but it might be the Los Angeles Ram who’s the preferred option for general manager Ryan Pace.
The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported Monday night that the Bears prefer Watkins and his clean bill of health.
Multiple sources say the Bears have identified the Rams’ Sammy Watkins as their top target at arguably their greatest position of need — wide receiver. Watkins, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Bills, has averaged 15.9 yards per catch in his career. For the sake of comparison, that’s more than a yard better than former Bear Alshon Jeffery.
The Bears are also believed to have expressed interest in Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson, but he is coming off a torn ACL suffered in the season opener last year. Watkins would arrive healthy and as a certified speedster who would add a missing dimension to the offense.
Watkins would make a ton of sense. Injuries have slowed his development as a pro, but at only 24 years old, he’s just scratching the surface of what he can provide to an offense. He finally appears healthy and his most productive seasons lie ahead.
Watkins scored eight touchdowns for the Rams last season.
If Watkins can stay healthy, his natural talent would arguably be the best the Bears have ever had at the position. Combine that with the arm strength and accuracy of Mitchell Trubisky, and the Bears’ offense under Matt Nagy would suddenly become a fun group to watch.
The receiver market is very fluid right now. Albert Wilson, another target of the Bears, is eyeing Miami while Robinson is being courted by the Packers
Watkins has the speed that we all wish White had but my only complaint about him is he is another guy who disappears in the redzone. Robinson on the other hand is a guy who makes plays in the redzone. If we can't score on offense, then no amount of yards gain by his speed is helpful.
Given what Robinson's asking price might be vs Watkins, and the ACL issue I can see why Pace might lean in Watkins direction. He may not have Robinson's production yardage wise but he's scored 25 tds in his 4 year career and he's a legit deep threat who can open up the underneath coverage and force teams out of 8 and 9 in the box defenses.
Trubisky has been training with Jared Goff in Cali so it's possible he's picked up some info and added his own thoughts as well. He's only 24 years old and if we make him a featured receiver again he's got great potential.
Watkins has the speed that we all wish White had but my only complaint about him is he is another guy who disappears in the redzone. Robinson on the other hand is a guy who makes plays in the redzone. If we can't score on offense, then no amount of yards gain by his speed is helpful.
Ahem, what were you saying about scoring? He's never scored less than 6 tds when he's played an entire season. You may want to rethink your comment brother. He may not have Robinson's production yardage wise but he's scored 25 tds in his 4 year career and he's a legit deep threat who can open up the underneath coverage and force teams out of 8 and 9 in the box defenses.
Dolphins emerge as front-runner for WR Albert Wilson
By: Bryan Perez | 58 minutes ago
Free agency never goes as expected.
The Bears and Albert Wilson, the slot receiver who developed into a viable target in Matt Nagy’s offense in Kansas City, was supposed to be an obvious match. Chicago needs a receiver and Wilson has familiarity with the coach and the offense.
It’s a perfect match, right?
Well, maybe not. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Wilson may have his eyes on South Beach.
Wilson, 25, isn’t the kind of dynamic talent that Allen Robinson or Sammy Watkins is, both of whom Chicago has expressed interest in. It’s possible Ryan Pace and the Bears have focused their attention on the two big prizes while Wilson has been shown more love elsewhere.
Wilson certainly projects as a solid starter, but his upside isn’t much greater than what Kendall Wright provided Chicago last season.
Wright totaled 614 yards and one touchdown.
The Bears are much better off focusing their time on Robinson and Watkins even if they end up missing out on both. Pace has to swing for the fences. Wilson would represent little more than a Markus Wheaton-level signing, which is a far cry from the help Pace promised to provide for Mitchell Trubisky.
Watkins has the speed that we all wish White had but my only complaint about him is he is another guy who disappears in the redzone. Robinson on the other hand is a guy who makes plays in the redzone. If we can't score on offense, then no amount of yards gain by his speed is helpful.
Ahem, what were you saying about scoring? He's never scored less than 6 tds when he's played an entire season. You may want to rethink your comment brother. He may not have Robinson's production yardage wise but he's scored 25 tds in his 4 year career and he's a legit deep threat who can open up the underneath coverage and force teams out of 8 and 9 in the box defenses.
Different schemes my friend, our biggest problem was getting anything in the redzone. My confidence might be higher if a big chunk of those TDs came in the redzone. Anyone have any stats showing that?
QUOTE: Wilson certainly projects as a solid starter, but his upside isn’t much greater than what Kendall Wright provided Chicago last season. Wright totaled 614 yards and one touchdown.
Wilson would represent little more than a Markus Wheaton-level signing, which is a far cry from the help Pace promised to provide for Mitchell Trubisky.
Can't say that I agree with that at all. I think Wilson has far more upside than either. I can see why Miami would be interested given their need to replace Landry but if it comes down to money we have a huge edge if Pace decides to use it.
Ahem, what were you saying about scoring? He's never scored less than 6 tds when he's played an entire season. You may want to rethink your comment brother. He may not have Robinson's production yardage wise but he's scored 25 tds in his 4 year career and he's a legit deep threat who can open up the underneath coverage and force teams out of 8 and 9 in the box defenses.
Different schemes my friend, our biggest problem was getting anything in the redzone. My confidence might be higher if a big chunk of those TDs came in the redzone. Anyone have any stats showing that?
Our last redzone threat player was Zach Miller...
Watkins is capable of scoring from 50-60 yards out and has so why worry about his red zone stats especially when we have guys like Shaheen, Meredith, and possibly White who are taller and a back like Cohen who should have been used far more down there than he was at times. We had a horrible red zone scheme and play calling at times.
Where he scored from makes no difference. He scored 25 tds. 8 last season alone. One of the biggest back breakers we often experienced against GB was their ability to hang a couple of quick TDs on us with long pass plays early on and force us to play catch up without the tools to do it. Watkins is a guy who could change that.
I have no problem with Watkins at all since he'd be a very nice compliment to Meredith whose more of a possession guy than someone you have to account for up top and there's no way of knowing whether or not White still has 4.3 speed and anything to offer. Robinson may be pricing himself above what Pace will risk given his injury.
Ahem, what were you saying about scoring? He's never scored less than 6 tds when he's played an entire season. You may want to rethink your comment brother. He may not have Robinson's production yardage wise but he's scored 25 tds in his 4 year career and he's a legit deep threat who can open up the underneath coverage and force teams out of 8 and 9 in the box defenses.
Different schemes my friend, our biggest problem was getting anything in the redzone. My confidence might be higher if a big chunk of those TDs came in the redzone. Anyone have any stats showing that?
Our last redzone threat player was Zach Miller...
Technically we'll have a new scheme this year as well.