People shouldn’t set the Chicago Bears pecking order at wide receiver just yet. Yes, D.J. Moore looks like the official #1 guy. The trade to get him and his play in early practice say as much. After that, it is getting murkier by the day. Current assumptions are that Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool will be the second and third options for Justin Fields. Both are the most proven targets on the roster outside of Moore. However, there is one small problem. Neither has been available most of the summer. Both have nursed injuries. This has allowed others on the depth chart to get extra opportunities, most notably Velus Jones and Tyler Scott.
The two Bears draft picks haven’t wasted their reps. Word is spreading that Jones made big strides this off-season, looking much sharper as a route-runner. Scott might be the even bigger surprise. Chicago landed the Cincinnati product in the 4th round. Some draft experts said they got a steal. According to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago, it hasn’t taken long to understand why. The rookie is making life difficult for some of the top defensive backs on the team.
“The Cincinnati product opened the offseason program working primarily with the second-string offense. He had some good moments with backup quarterback P.J. Walker before finally flashing his separation ability with the ones during minicamp.
Scott easily beat rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson deep during one round of 11-on-11, but the wind altered Fields’ pass and it fell incomplete. Scott also showed that his speed works in the short and intermediate areas as well. The rookie beat nickelback Kyler Gordon a few times on quick routes and showed that he can throttle his speed in and out of breaks to create better separation.”
Tyler Scott is following the Braxton Jones blueprint.
Nobody thought the former 5th round pick had a prayer of playing last season. He was drafted from a small school and had zero experience against top competition. However, his solid play in spring practices convinced the coaching staff to give him more opportunities in camp. He continued to look capable, and that is how he eventually became their starting left tackle. If he could do, there is no reason to think Scott can carve a similar path to significant playing time in the offense.
Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles have both said their objective is to get the best players on the field possible. If Tyler Scott outperforms Claypool or Mooney in practice, then it’s their responsibility to put him in the starting lineup. It is too early to make any definitive decisions. The Bears want to see everybody back for training camp and the preseason. If Scott holds his own over that month-long period, Luke Getsy may have to find room for him in offensive game plans moving forward.
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