The Chicago Bears need big contributions from their 2021 draft class if they’re going to have a productive season. Most of the attention is centered on Justin Fields and Teven Jenkins. Rightfully so. They are the 1st and 2nd round picks respectively. On top of that, the Bears traded up for both of them. That comes with elevated expectations. However, it would be nice if one of their other five picks were step up this season.
Do any of them have a reasonably good chance to do so? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report thinks so. One name he feels needs careful observation is Dazz Newsome. The 6th round pick out of North Carolina was a productive wide receiver for two years. This despite being stuck in an offense with several mouths to feed including two highly-drafted running backs and another solid receiver in Dyami Brown. That has made it easy to overlook Newsome.
“Sixth-round draft picks don’t usually turn into gems, but former North Carolina wideout Dazz Newsome can be exactly that for the Chicago Bears.
Newsome brings value and should get opportunities on two fronts. For one, he’s an explosive playmaker who racked up more than 1,700 receiving yards over the past two seasons. The Bears don’t have a ton of reliable receiver depth after Allen Robinson II and second-year man Darnell Mooney.”
The timing of his arrival might be perfect.
As of right now, Chicago doesn’t have a definitive #3 receiver. Anthony Miller showed early promise in his career but regressed last season. Marquise Goodwin has speed but hasn’t been productive since 2017. Damiere Byrd had a nice 2020 in New England with over 600 yards but that was his only standout year to date. Javon Wims and Riley Ridley? Neither has stood out much to this point in their careers.
Most of these guys are either on one-year deals or the last year of their deals. So not only is it in an open competition for Newsome, but it is also worth wondering if the coaches might want to get him more involved early. This because he’s on a contract that is more long-term than others. These advantages could serve him well as training camp and preseason arrive.
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Newsome already impressing the Chicago Bears
Fans didn’t take long gravitating to him. The young receiver is apparently a food aficionado, desiring to know as much about local restaurants as possible. While happy at the abundance of choices in Chicago, he couldn’t help but feel upset at there being no Waffle House. So already the kid is a fun character with an entertaining background. The question is can he actually play.
Initial signs from rookie minicamps are promising. Of all the receivers present he was the one who stood out the most. His connection with Justin Fields was fairly obvious throughout. Not a bad sign considering how vital Fields is to the Bears’ future. Get on his good side and one can imagine Dazz Newsome will only receive more opportunities in the near future.
The rest will be up to him.
Newsome is no stranger to being overlooked. He was coming out of high school. He was through most of college. That doesn’t bother him. If anything it fuels his desire to keep making big plays. He’ll force you to learn his name. Stand in his way if you dare. OTAs begin this week with mandatory minicamps to follow. Training camp starts at the end of July. Plenty of time for him to make further positive impressions.