In theory, the Chicago Bears could have a pair of thoroughbreds at receiver. Alshon Jeffery is back for at least one more season after the club applied the franchise tag in the offseason. Jeffery is ninth in the NFL in receiving yards since 2013 (3,361) and averaged 89.7 receiving yards per game in 2015 -- the eighth-best total in the league. On the other side of the field, Kevin White is healthy following a disappointing rookie year where he missed all 16 games because of a stress fracture. The seventh overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft, White caught 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season at West Virginia. It will be interesting to see how many chances quarterback Jay Cutler is allowed to take downfield to Chicago’s receivers in John Fox’s conservative offensive approach.
Alshon Jeffery
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 91 catches, 1,322 receiving yards, eight touchdowns
Over or under: Wow. Lofty projections for Jeffery and White. I’ll take the under for Jeffery in all three categories. He has the talent to catch 90-plus balls, but health is a concern. Jeffery already missed time in camp with a strained hamstring.
Kevin White
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 64 catches, 933 receiving yards, five touchdowns
Over or under: I’ll also take the under for White in receptions and receiving yards (he hasn’t even played in a real NFL game yet), but I’ll go over with touchdowns. I think the Bears will try and get White in space in the redzone, where he has a better chance to use that speed and strength. I just hesitate to project 64-933 for White until he proves he can beat an actual NFL defense.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 34 catches, 364 receiving yards, two touchdowns
Over or under: I will take the over for Royal in all three categories. Remember, he made 62 receptions for 778 yards and seven touchdowns for San Diego in 2014. That wasn’t that long ago. Royal just needs to stay on the field, which is easier said than done. Royal also missed time in camp with a concussion.
Who else could see time: No one with any real fantasy implications. Marquess Wilson, who is technically the No. 4 receiver, is on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. The other options -- Marc Mariani, Josh Bellamy, Daniel Braverman, Deonte Thompson -- are nice role players/special-teamers, but not the guys who can stockpile major fantasy points in a given week.
