Bears GM Ryan Pace has been known for snagging late-round steals in the NFL Draft. Steals like fourth-round picks Eddie Jackson and Tarik Cohen.
It seems the Bears might’ve gotten another fourth-round gem in Georgia receiver Riley Ridley.
While the Bears’ roster is rich in receiver talent, Ridley has already made the most of his offseason opportunities. He’s been one of the headlines at OTAs, praised for his not only his route running but his speed on the football field.
Coming out of college, Ridley was praised for his route running. His speed, not so much. But it sounds like Ridley has been playing a lot faster than his timed speed has indicated.
“That’s an advantage for him,” receivers coach Mike Furrey said, “understanding what words speak to him in the huddle — because it’s a lot of words — and being able to now go function with what his assignment is…his missed assignments are so far below a normal rookie, and I think a lot of that contributes to him being in a system, like that coming from college.”
Ridley will challenge, among others, former Georgia teammate Javon Wims and Missouri’s Emmanuel Hall for a coveted receiver spot on the Bears’ roster.
The Bears’ receiver room currently boasts talent like Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Taylor Gabriel and newcomer Cordarelle Patterson.
The best way for Ridley to lock up one of those roster spots is to continue to stand out on the practice field, which he’s done often this offseason.
