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Move over Calvin Johnson, there’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Alshon Jeffery! At 6’3″ and 216 lbs., the future of this 24-year-old wide receiver is so bright he should be the official spokesman for the Sunglass Hut. The Chicago Bears drafted Jeffery out of South Carolina in the second round (45th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. The former Gamecock is quickly becoming the NFC‘s premier Wide-out and is clearly the league’s best “up and coming” receiver.
Jeffery is the smartest move the windy city made in the 2012 draft and has proven to be a real “bear” of a challenge for opposing defenders to cover. Pun intended! He has exploded onto the scene with hands that would make the likes of Steve Smith green with envy. Alshon was passed up by multiple teams in need of a big-play receiver because of poor forty-yard dash times and a lack of polish in route running. But while other teams believed Jeffery’s average speed would prevent him from being a threat at the pro level, the Bears were confident they had a diamond in the rough.
Jeffery has more than excelled at the pro level. Indeed he is an “elite receiver” who will cause defensive coordinators to assign their best cornerback to cover him; leaving partner in crime, Brandon Marshall, exposed on the opposite side. Jeffery’s natural talent, physical attributes and instincts coupled with nerves of steel, have assisted him in making seemingly impossible big plays in clutch situations. Much like the San Francisco 49er’s Anquan Boldin, Jeffery uses his size and strength to stay on his feet resulting in tremendous gains in yardage after the catch. As stated by Chris Wesseling on NFL.com “Slants, screens go routes, end-arounds. You name it, Jeffery excels at it”. In 2012, he had 89 receptions, 65 better than his rookie debut. On the way to achieving what proved to be a breakout season for Jeffery last year, he accumulated 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns. Did I mention he accomplished all that with two different starting Quarterbacks and a new coaching staff?
The fact is Jeffery and Marshall are the best WR duo in the league. Furthermore, it is because of this duo that the Bears will return to the playoffs in 2014 with a superior shot as the NFC’s Super Bowl contenders. It is safe to say Jeffery will be causing defensive coordinators headaches for many years to come.
Christopher Duvall is a writer for the CouchRiderReport.net.
