The Chicago Bears have been rather busy at the wide receiver position even as training camp gets underway. They traded Anthony Miller to Houston in exchange for a 5th round pick. Almost at the same time, they added two new faces in Justin Hardy and Jon’Vea Johnson. Hardy is a former 4th round pick of the Atlanta Falcons and served mostly as a 4th or 5th option while there. Johnson is a former undrafted free agent of the Dallas Cowboys and has never seen action.
With Miller gone and Dazz Newsome going on the Physically Unable to Perform list, it isn’t a surprise they’ve done this. However, it’s possible GM Ryan Pace has at least one more move in mind. According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Bears held a workout ahead of their first camp practice. Among them was Josh Doctson, the former 1st round pick of the Washington Redskins (now Football Team).
Notable workouts/visits around the NFL:
* Giants worked out veteran LB Todd Davis and had a visit with WR/core special teamer Cody Core
* Chargers hosted QB KJ Costello on a visit
* The Bears had former 1st round WR Josh Doctson amongst their workout group— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 28, 2021
This would be a fascinating addition.
Talent has never been an issue for Doctson. He was a star at TCU with over 2300 yards and 25 touchdowns in his final two years there. His problem is the same one that bedevils many in the NFL. Injuries. He tore his Achilles as a rookie in 2016, missing all but two games. He seemed to rebound pretty well in 2017 with 502 yards and six touchdowns. The next season though he failed to take another step.
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That is why Washington parted ways with him during the 2019 offseason. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in hopes of getting a fresh start. Then a hamstring injury landed him on Injured Reserve and he was eventually waived. Last year rather than sign with another team, he chose to opt out of playing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctson thus hasn’t played a game since November 17th, 2019.
Chicago Bears would be making a low-risk-high-reward move
Doctson is still just 28-years old. He should be healthy after having a full year off. There is no reason to think his talent has suddenly evaporated. Adding him to the competition the Bears currently have wouldn’t hurt. One thing to note about the receiving corps right now is its size. Or lack thereof. Allen Robinson is the only one that can be considered a lock to make the final cut who is over 6’0 tall. The rest include Darnell Mooney (5’11), Damiere Byrd (5’9), and Marquise Goodwin (5’9).
While they make up for that with their speed, it’s usually a wise practice to have a couple of bigger targets for red zone work. Right now the only other notable options are Javon Wims and Riley Ridley. Both of whom haven’t exactly stood out in a good way whenever given opportunities. Doctson would be able to enter that conversation thanks to his 6’2 frame.
Not to mention his knack for scoring touchdowns.
He’d have an uphill fight to make the roster, but this could be somebody the Bears look to stash on the practice squad to start the season and then elevate him later on. They certainly don’t stand to lose much by giving him an opportunity.