The Chicago Bears have already made effective use of their place on the waiver wire priority list. They hold the #1 spot through the third week of the regular season. GM Ryan Poles appears intent on taking advantage while he can. In the past two weeks, they’ve fortified the depth of their defensive front seven by claiming defensive tackle Bravvion Roy and linebacker Mykal Walker from Carolina and Atlanta, respectively. One should expect this approach to continue as Poles seems intent on finding proven depth everywhere possible.
Wide receiver is a position worth watching. Everybody knows D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool make up the top three. After that, the situation gets murkier. Both Velus Jones and rookie Tyler Scott didn’t look great in the preseason opener against Tennessee. While Scott is safe, it’s a reminder of how iffy the depth at the position might still be. Nobody else managed to seize the opportunity. Daurice Fountain and Isaiah Ford had big catches but were invisible otherwise. Perhaps it might be wise for the Bears to seek out more proven depth.
New Orleans may have provided such an opportunity.
The former 2nd round pick had a strong 2019 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, going for 735 yards. Unfortunately, the team drafted Claypool the next off-season, and he saw his playing time fade. He signed with Dallas in 2022, hoping to take advantage of Amari Cooper’s recent exit. Instead, he broke his foot in training camp and couldn’t return until December. His recent stint in New Orleans this summer didn’t go anywhere. Now the 26-year-old is seeking his next opportunity.
James Washington isn’t known for being a precise route-runner. His success in college came from his vertical ability. He found ways to get open deep and had a terrific ability to track the ball. He’s made some tough catches in traffic over the years. Justin Fields loves to attack down the field. He and Washington could make a strong match. The receiver also has the physical mentality necessary to be a strong blocker in the Chicago Bears’ wide-zone scheme. This is a classic low-risk-high-reward option for them. Washington could be a valuable fifth option in the receiver room.
