Former Exec Believes Bears Found Their Velus Jones Replacement
The Chicago Bears have a terrific trio at the top of their wide receiver depth chart with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. After that, things get murkier. Tyler Scott looks like the early favorite for the #4 slot. Then, it becomes a question of who has the most value for the final two. Initial projections will have Velus Jones getting one of them, thanks to his value as a kick returner. However, there is a strong possibility even that role is now threatened after what the team did in undrafted free agency.
Names like Keith Randolph, Austin Reed, and Jamree Kromah have gotten most of the attention among the Bears’ undrafted signings. Former scouting director Greg Gabriel says another among the group isn’t getting enough attention: Howard running back Ian Wheeler.
Granted, his stats as a running back don’t jump out, but when we watch him with the ball in his hands, he is very exciting. Wheeler is quick to the hole and is a slashing type of runner with patience and vision. He runs low and has the ability to break tackles and get yards after initial contact. What I like are his run instincts, as he can find a new opening and burst through it.
As a receiver, I have only seen him run shorter routes, but he catches the ball cleanly and has a quick burst to accelerate after the catch. He has that ability to turn a short pass into a long gain.
For the Bears, he will be a kick returner first, and going into camp, he may be the most talented kickoff returner on the roster. Still, he needs to show that he can be reliable if he has to play at the running back position. Based on what I have seen on tape, it should not be a problem.
Wheeler is a spark plug.
Over the previous three seasons at Howard, he amassed 1,183 yards and three touchdowns in 30 games. With the new NFL rule changes regarding kickoffs, it’s been said that the best returner options should have a running back background. Wheeler does, which makes him a dangerous threat to Jones.
The tricky part is not just replacing Velus Jones.
Wheeler is a running back. Jones is a receiver. If the Bears decided to swap the two, they might have to go heavy at one and light on the other. That means four running backs and five wide receivers. It isn’t a crazy idea, but not a normal one. Chicago could decide to switch Wheeler to wide receiver. He has pass-catching chops. Besides, that wouldn’t prohibit them from using him as a running back on offense in certain situations. Much of this will depend on what happens in training camp and the preseason.
Velus Jones isn’t about to give up his ambitions because the Bears signed a promising undrafted rookie. He is still a dangerous threat with the ball in his hands. He’s a capable returner and could take advantage of these rule changes as well. It depends on how wide open the window is for Wheeler to compete for the job. History says the Bears aren’t married to anybody on this roster. Ask Tyson Bagent. If you play well enough, they will give you a spot. Jones better be prepared for battle.