Chicago Bears 2020 breakout candidate: Receiver Anthony Miller showed hints late in 2019
Young Bears wideout Anthony Miller has had an up-and-down first two seasons but could be poised for big things in 2021.
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CBS Sports is currently running a series from each NFL division of one homegrown player still on a rookie contract who is key for each team's success in said division. We touched on New England's Sony Michel on Wednesday from the AFC East and today will examine the choice of receiver Anthony Miller with the Chicago Bears in the NFC North.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, never-shy Bears general manger Ryan Pace traded a fourth-round pick (No. 105) in that draft and a 2019 second-round choice to move up and take Miller out of Memphis at No. 51 overall in '18. He was a monster his final two seasons with the Tigers, catching 95 balls for 1,434 yards and 14 TDs in 2016 and 96 balls for 1,462 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2017. Those are first-round numbers, but Miller isn't very big at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds so he slipped to Round 2.
Chicago won 12 games and the NFC North in Miller's rookie year, and he was solid with 33 catches for 423 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. The Bears expected a big leap in Year 2, but Miller was just so-so with 52 catches for 656 yards and two scores in 16 games. Then again, the enter Chicago offense regressed under QB Mitchell Trubisky as the team slipped to 8-8.
However, it was a tale of two 2019 seasons for Miller. Over the first nine games, Miller averaged just 1.9 receptions and 24.2 yards per as his snaps were injured. Then fellow wideout Taylor Gabriel suffered a concussion and Miller's playing time and numbers jumped. He averaged 5.7 receptions and 72 yards over the last six games.
Miller, who did have offseason shoulder surgery, has said 2020 is going to be "my best year yet." With Gabriel released, Miller will start opposite No. 1 receiver Allen Robinson – although whether it's Trubisky or Nick Foles throwing passes is yet to be determined.
The Bears have an Over-Under win total of 8.0 at William Hill sportsbook, with the Under a -125 favorite. If they don't win more than 8 games, Coach Matt Nagy is likely gone. No individual statistical player props out yet for Miller, etc.
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