It isn’t a secret the Chicago Bears are on the lookout for wide receiver help. The position is amid a wide-open competition right now with only three spots considered locks by Darnell Mooney, Velus Jones Jr., and Byron Pringle. That means three others are up for grabs. Right now, it’s impossible to predict how they’ll get filled. In situations like this, it’s best to expect the unexpected. That includes an outside name entering the fray late.
The United States Football League was dead by 1986. Now it’s back in a new incarnation and is about to conduct its first official postseason. After determining their first champion, several players are expected to use their success in the upstart league as a chance to jump into the NFL. Alex Ballantine of Bleacher Report believes New Orleans Breakers wide receiver Jonathan Adams will be one of those players. As far as teams that are great fits, one was mentioned before any other.
“The 6’2, 210-pound receiver has made the most of his second opportunity.
Adams has been the most productive player on a Breakers squad that also features former NFL receiver Taywan Taylor and Ohio State product Johnnie Dixon. He has hauled in 30 receptions for 398 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
Adams received a 4th-5th round grade from the B/R Scouting Department in 2021, who pegged him as a future role player. He’s used his time with the Breakers to prove he could still live up to that projection.
Adams could help out any NFL team looking to add a big, contested-catch receiver to its arsenal.
Potential Fits: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens”
Jonathan Adams Jr. has the most #ArrogantHands in the class pic.twitter.com/pDN7uxyWi7
— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) March 15, 2021
OH MY, JONATHAN ADAMS! 😱
📺: @NBC and @peacockTV pic.twitter.com/iZ56Tn6Uoq
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 24, 2022
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Chicago Bears may have mixed feeling long Adams.
In terms of his size and hands, there is no question the kid can ball. He’s able to win 50/50 situations frequently and is a legitimate threat in the red zone. His 12 touchdown catches in 10 games as a senior at Arkansas State proved that much. Justin Fields can use as many options as possible to score more points. At the same time, there is one lingering concern with the 23-year-old. He is slow. His 40-yard dash time during the 2021 pre-draft process was 4.59. That is bad for wide receivers. It is a big reason he went undrafted.
GM Ryan Poles has made it clear since he took over in January that his team wants to focus on speed. That much was obvious when they drafted Jones in the 3rd round. Looking back at his time in Kansas City, the Chiefs rarely added receivers that didn’t have at least sub-4.5 speed. That is why the Chicago Bears considering Adams is interesting but unlikely. He doesn’t fit the profile for what they want.
Then again, anything is possible.
The guy has certain skills that can work in the NFL. He’s gained much-needed experience working for an excellent receivers coach in Pat Washington, the man who turned the likes of Jordy Nelson, Donte Stallworth, and Robert Meachem into pro standouts. If the Bears aren’t comfortable with their options at the bottom of the position group, then taking a flier on Adams might make sense.
Look up the 40 times of Cooper Kupp and DeVante Adams. 4.62 and 4.56. It's not the end all be all.
We’ve got WRs on the roster right now than this guy.