Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ MooreMeg Oliphant/Getty Images
A shocking squad takes the top spot, with the Chicago Bears legitimately piecing together an elite group of wide receivers this offseason.
DJ Moore was already a 1,300-yard receiver in the league’s sixth-worst passing offense last season. Granted, he received primary attention and targets as the Bears’ only real threat.
At the same time, though, the 27-year-old was still able to create despite defenses keying on him and not having the best players and talent around him.
With the Bears’ decision to make a change at quarterback and select USC’s Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall, general manager Ryan Poles made sure his next signal-caller was well-equipped with the tools to succeed.
First, he traded a fourth-round pick to acquire Keenan Allen.
The 32-year-old veteran may not have a ton of juice, but he’s still one of the game’s best pure route-runners. He’s the perfect leader for a developing offense and to serve as a reliable target for a rookie quarterback. With him and Moore both on the roster, the Bears feature the league’s only pair of wide receivers to eclipse 1,200 yards last season.
Then, the general manager chose Washington’s Rome Odunze with this year’s No. 9 overall draft pick.
The 6’3′, 212-pounder might have been the third wide receiver drafted, but he could have been WR1 in multiple other classes.
Odunze’s inclusion creates a complementary group of targets. Moore has always been at his best creating at the catch. Allen will work the short to intermediate portions of the field with efficient and reliable routes. The incoming rookie is a big target and legitimate vertical threat.
Tyler Scott’s big-play potential can be thrown into the mix for good measure.
Two years ago, the Bears fielded arguably the league’s worst group of wide receivers. Now, they’re on the verge of claiming the best once they’re on the field and working together.
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