5 Wide Receiver Training Camp Battles to Watch This Offseason

Chicago Bears

John Fox hates rookies.

Okay, maybe he doesn't hate them per se, but he sure doesn't like giving them playing time.

Just looking at the rookie running backs that have played under Fox -- despite having multiple first- and second-round tailbacks on a number of his teams (most notably DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart) -- no back has ever received more than 200 carries in his inaugural seasons.

It should therefore come as no surprise that rookie wideout Kevin White -- possibly the best wide receiver in the draft class -- is now jockeying with third-year man Marquess Wilson for positioning on the receiver depth chart.

Again, this has more to do with how little Fox likes to play his rookies and less to do with Wilson's on-field abilities. In terms of efficiency last season, Wilson's 0.28 Reception NEP per target ranked him dead last among all wideouts receiving at least 30 targets last year.

But beyond the open competition with Wilson for targets, Jay Cutler's reunion with Eddie Royal -- who caught 91 passes from the Bears signal caller in their lone season together -- further complicates matters. Indeed, some reports are already suggesting that given his history with Cutler, Royal is poised to play himself into a prominent role on this offense sooner rather than later.

With the team expected to lean more on the running game under John Fox, how the targets are divvied up between the receivers Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, and Kevin White, alongside tight end Martellus Bennett, and tailback Matt Forte will be even more important than ever before.

But should the rookie battle his way to the front of the wide receiver line on this roster, as a size and speed freak with an amazing catch radius, White may just be the second-coming of Brandon Marshall that Cutler needs to revitalize his career.