When Javon Wims took the NFL preseason by storm in 2018, most chalked it up to him taking advantage of weak competition. Yet isn’t that what good receivers are supposed to do? They make lesser defensive backs look inadequate. For most of August last year, Wims couldn’t be covered. He torched the Kansas City Chiefs particularly when they were playing many of their starters on defense.
Then when Wims finally got a chance to play in the regular season finale against Minnesota, he made a couple of huge catches to extend the touchdown drive that would put the game away for the Chicago Bears. It wasn’t much, but it was a definite sign the young man can play against starting cornerbacks in the NFL. Evidence of this has only grown since training camp began down in Bourbonnais.
It seems like every single practice, there is a mention of Wims making a big catch. This isn’t against scrubs either. He’s logged several of his snaps in drills against the Bears’ #1 defense. This is against guys like Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Buster Skrine. An All-Pro and two quality veterans. This isn’t just word of mouth stuff either. There is video evidence. Wims’ game has progressed. So much so that it’s no longer a question of making the roster.
People should begin asking if he has a chance to start.
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Javon Wims is at the doorstep of Bears history
Why is this such a big deal? For one, it’s a great story. A young receiver who was seldom-used in college at Georgia becomes a late draft pick only to turn himself into a starting NFL receiver. Then there’s another factor in play. Since the league merger in 1970, the Bears have drafted a wide receiver in the 7th round or later a total 23 times. Only seven of those players ended up dressing for a game. None of them became a starter in Chicago.
Marquess Wilson came the closest. A 7th round choice out of Washington State, he sporadically started 14 games between 2014 and 2016. This was mostly due to injuries to either Brandon Marshall or Alshon Jeffery though. He was never a true starter. It’s a shame too. Wilson had the talent and even posted a couple of 100-yard games. He just could never keep his body healthy.
Wims is significantly ahead of where he was in terms of development. He is also more talented, being bigger and stronger. Everything points to him challenging Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller for playing time this year. It seems he already has a bit of a connection growing with Mitch Trubisky too. At some point, head coach Matt Nagy will have to realize he can’t keep him off the field.
If Wims does reach his goal, he’d be the first Bear of the Super Bowl era to ever accomplish it.
