Chicago Bears: 5 Offensive X-factors for second half of 2017 season
4. Dontrelle Inman, WR
Okay, I know he’s new and hasn’t played a down as a Bear yet, but Dontrelle Inman is an important receiver for the team in the second half. The Bears stood pat (and rightly so) at the trade deadline, so the only deal for a receiver was the one for Inman. Inman did have 810 yards receiving in 2016, but spent most of this season dealing with a hamstring injury. In his four-season NFL career, he has 1,463 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
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The Bears gave Inman the week off in Week 8. Combine that with the bye week and that helped him to both get his hamstring more healthy and to learn the Bears offense better.
Inman gives the offense a tall and speedy target. Also, he has good hands, something the Bears sorely need. Catching the ball is something lacking from the Bears’ receiving corps for the past two seasons. If Inman makes some catches, he helps the other receivers. It also helps the running game. Inman gets more attention, freeing up the other receivers. With more attention on the receivers, Howard and Cohen then get more space to run through or catch passes.
Inman played mostly in the slot, but the Bears have Kendall Wright there now. Tanner Gentry and Tre McBride are on the outside. McBride had a good game in Week 8, making three catches for 92 yards. Gentry has struggled with committing penalties that negated some big plays. That doesn’t endear you to your coaches, so Inman may go on the outside.
Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains likes what he sees in Inman (per the Chicago Tribune):
"I just saw a smart, savvy player that should be able to provide some leadership … in a young room. And we need that type of figure right now to help these guys out."
Inman’s play could help the Bears win some games in the second half. If he does do well, he could be part of the new receiving corps that’s certainly coming next season.