Marquess Wilson

Wilson was a popular sleeper candidate entering last season based on his clear path to No. 3 receiving duties in what profiled as a highly potent Bears passing attack. However, any hope of the wideout attaining universal fantasy relevance went out the window when he suffered a fractured clavicle in a training-camp practice, resulting in him missing the first nine games of the regular season. Wilson still emerged as the Bears’ clear third receiver option upon his return in Week 10 and even started the final three games with Brandon Marshall out with broken ribs, but ultimately failed to meet expectations. He caught 12 of his 18 targets and netted 100 yards and a touchdown over those three starts, but his 5.5 yards per target registered as a major disappointment. Perhaps the extended absence can be attributed to Wilson’s lackluster production, but the wideout has a lot to prove in his third year with a new coaching staff and front office in place. It looked like Wilson would have to settle for fourth receiver duties to open the season, but with first-round pick Kevin White at risk of missing all of 2015 following shin surgery, Wilson could be claim a starting role on the outside in Week 1. Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Martellus Bennett, and Matt Forte are expected to represent quarterback Jay Cutler's top targets in the passing game, but at 6-foot-4 and with a good amount of speed and athleticism, Wilson still possesses the measurables to emerge as a viable threat.

Wilson struggled to see the field as a rookie seventh-round draft pick, notching only two receptions on the campaign. The sparse playing time doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of confidence in Wilson by the coaching staff, but rather, a reflection of the team's desire to keep stud receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on the field as often as possible. The team's offseason release of Earl Bennett leaves Wilson in the driver's seat to claim the No. 3 role, and the team could look to incorporate more three-receiver seats to keep him involved in the offense. While he could still struggle to see a volume of targets while Marshall and Jeffery remain healthy, Wilson's measurables (he's 6-foot-4) and the athleticism he demonstrated during his combine drills make him an intriguing prospect should he ascend to a starting role in the event of an injury to Marshall of Jeffery. Unfortunately, a fractured clavicle that Wilson suffered in August will delay the start to the season, likely keeping him out for at least the first few weeks.

Wilson, a seventh-round pick by the Bears, will compete for a roster spot in a weak receiving corps during training camp.