The Chicago Bears have reportedly traded mercurial wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets.
Marshall did not have the best 2014 season. Nagging ankle and leg injuries limited him to 13 ineffective games. Overall, Marshall recorded just 61 receptions for 721 yards and eight touchdowns, his lowest totals since the 2011 season. Whether his dip in production was due to the injuries or advancing age remains to be seen.
What is known at this point is that the Bears will have to replace him in the starting lineup. ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects the St. Louis Rams to select Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper with the tenth pick in the draft. Now that Chicago has a need for another receiver, could they take a look at Cooper with the seventh pick? Here's what Kiper had to say of Cooper as a prospect.
"Cooper is a true No. 1, a supremely gifted route runner who doesn't just do it with smarts, but with 4.4 speed and the ability to set up defenders and then run past them."
It's obvious that Chicago's biggest problems are on the defensive side of the ball. The team ranked 30th in passing yards allowed per game (264.4), 17th in rushing yards allowed (112.7) and 16th in sacks (39). Pass-rushers like Nebraska's Randy Gregory or Missouri's Shane Ray would fill more glaring needs if available. Plus, the team has third-year receiver Marquess Wilson, who they like, ready to step in.
But Cooper set SEC records last season with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is considered one of the elite prospects in this draft and passing on his potential may be too much for new GM Ryan Pace.
Is it a bit of a luxury pick with Alshon Jeffery in town? Absolutely. But would it give Chicago arguably the league's most fearsome wide receiver duo? You bet.
