Bears targeting Big Ten receiver at Combine to be Justin Fields’ new favorite weapon
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson met with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday as the team considers weapons for quarterback Justin Fields.
As teams across the league hunt for big-name quarterbacks, the Bears have been busy building out their defense in the offseason. Chicago has signed cornerback Lamar Jackson and linebacker Joe Thomas, but new general manager Ryan Poles is still looking into how to build out an offense to compliment Justin Fields.
According to Bears sideline reporter Mark Grote, the Bears were one of several teams that met with Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson during the first day of the 2022 NFL Combine.
Penn State WR Jahan Dotson said he met with the #Bears Tuesday along with several other teams.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) March 2, 2022
Jahan Dotson says he met with the #Bears, and if he’s available for them in Round 2, he’d be a slam-dunk pick.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 2, 2022
His speed, agility, route-running expertise and ball skills are fantastic. I think he’ll be a stud at the next level.
Chicago Bears meet with Big Ten receiver Jahan Dotson during NFL Combine
Dotson has been candid about meeting with other teams, including the New York Jets. Dotson shared advice that Saquon Barkley gave him on playing in New York. Dotson and Barkley spent high school in the towns of Nazareth and Bethlehem, two nearby small towns in Pennsylvania, and have spoken “a bunch” ahead of Dotson’s NFL debut.
Penn State WR Jahan Dotson has met with the Jets, and has taken advice from Saquon Barkley on playing in New York: pic.twitter.com/wSkOMEDfEb
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) March 2, 2022
Dotson has had glowing praise for Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Penn State WR Jahan Dotson calls Josh Allen one of the best QBs in the NFL right now and says he looks up to Stefon Diggs #Bills pic.twitter.com/4k4VuSoF0J
— Maddy Glab (@MadGlab) March 2, 2022
Since the Bears traded away their 2022 first-round pick to the Giants in order to select Justin Fields, the first pick they possess is in Round 2 with the No. 39 pick. The Bears could take offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere to offer Fields protection in the coming year, or the team could opt for a receiving weapon like Dotson. Aside from Allen Robinson, the Bears have little depth at the receiving position.
While Dotson is a skilled wide receiver that could offer a great deal to the Bears, the team must be wise with the way they draft around Fields. The initial critiques concerning the Bengals’ pick of Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell in 2021 did hold merit over the course of the season. While Chase had a historic rookie season and boosted the Bengals offense all the way to the Super Bowl, the offensive line weakness contributed to the team’s Super Bowl loss.
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