Bears Blitz

Published by Ian Hanford on April 27, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears grabbed the biggest steal of Round 2 by drafting Alshon Jeffery with the No. 45 overall selection. 

Jeffery plummeted down draft boards because of his suspect explosiveness and slow route running. The Bears will be laughing at every team that decided to pass on this mammoth receiver when all is said and done.

Red-Zone Threat

Jeffery stands 6’4”. With Brandon Marshall he will give the Bears the league’s best red-zone duo. 

The Bears do not have a playmaker at tight end. They needed another playmaker in the red zone, and Jeffery more than fits the bill. 

Jeffery’s draft stock dropped because of his inability to separate from man-to-man coverage and his suspect quickness. Those factors will not come into play near the opponent’s end zone. 

The equation is simple. Throw it up and let Jeffery go get it. 

First-Round Talent

Criticizing Jeffery because of his final year at South Carolina is tough. Jeffery did not have an established quarterback to get him the ball, and he didn’t have Marcus Lattimore absorbing any attention.

Jeffery was the Gamecocks’ sole option and did not respond well to the pressure. His weight ballooned. He watched his draft stock descend from draft-day invitee to fringe first-round selection. 

Jeffery will respond to the criticism in one of two ways. He will either play to prove his critics wrong and dominate the opposition. Or he will take his first paycheck and kick his feet up somewhere. 

I expect Jeffery to play with a chip on his shoulder. Based on physical tools, he is a first-round talent with game-changing ability. 

He has an unbelievable catch radius and attacks balls in the air with fervor. His physical prowess will make him a nightmare for opposing defensive backs. 

Another Need Addressed

The Bears addressed their most pressing need by landing Shea McClellin in the first round. The addition of Jeffery addresses another. 

Even with the addition of Marshall, the Bears need another target. Marshall’s troubled past shows he may not be a guarantee. Plus, one receiver is likely to get blanketed if he does not have a solid No. 2 playing on the other side. 

Chicago now has a talented and huge receiving duo. Marshall will show Jeffery how to use his impressive size to his advantage. Jay Cutler will enjoy having two huge possession receivers at his disposal. 

Jeffery became a luxury pick. The value was incredible, and the Bears landed their second perfect fit of the 2012 NFL Draft.

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