Alshon Jeffery Will Post Big Fantasy Numbers After Injury-Plagued Rookie Year
Published by Kyle Newport on August 25, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery dealt with multiple injuries last season, but he is ready to put up big fantasy numbers this year.
The Bears picked him in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft for a reason. He has a lot of potential and will be able to show it as long as he is healthy.
He had only 367 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 24 receptions as a rookie. He played in only 10 games, including six starts.
The numbers don’t show that he is anything special, but he didn’t get much of a chance to show what he could do. He made it to Week 5 without any problems but played in only one more game until Week 14. After he returned for good, he had to prove that he could recover from knee surgery.
Jeffery had eight catches and one touchdown in the final four weeks. It wasn’t a great showing, but he did let fans see that he can bounce back from injuries and be productive.
The numbers don’t jump out at fantasy owners. However, there were some promising signs.
He did average 15.3 yards per catch and had four different games with a catch of at least 30 yards. He has big-play potential but needs to stay on the field to showcase his talent.
The 23-year-old is due for a big year in 2013.
With Jay Cutler throwing the football, Jeffery should get plenty of passes thrown his way. Cutler has a strong arm and can throw the ball anywhere on the field. All he has to do is throw it near Jeffery, and the receiver will do the rest.
The 6’3″ receiver can use his size, jumping ability and good hands to make plays. He doesn’t have great speed, but he makes up for that with his athleticism.
Brandon Marshall is an elite receiver. He is an inch taller than Jeffery and should help the second-year receiver get open. Defenses will have to plan around Marshall, who had 1,508 yards and 11 touchdowns on 118 receptions.
Jeffery will benefit from having Marshall on the field with him. Marshall may get the majority of the targets and yards, but Jeffery can use his size when it counts the most. Cutler can find Jeffery in the end zone, especially when Marshall isn’t open.
He averaged 61 catches and 1,014 receiving yards per season at South Carolina. He was able to make plays every season.
His biggest challenge this year will be to stay healthy. He wasn’t able to stay on the field last season, but he is going to put up big numbers if he can
Chicago’s schedule should also help Jeffery. It features nine games against teams that ranked in the bottom half of the league in pass defense.
Cutler, Marshall and Jeffery could combine to be one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league.
Jeffery was drafted high in 2012, and he will reward fantasy owners who take him in their draft by posting big numbers.
*All stats are courtesy of NFL.com.
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