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Chicago Bears: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

By Russell S. Baxter

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs for several yards after avoiding a tackle by middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of an NFL football game on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs for several yards after avoiding a tackle by middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of an NFL football game on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

5. Taylor Gabriel, WR (from Atlanta Falcons)

We have obviously seen what a downfield threat can do for any offense in this league. And it’s also safe to say that the Chicago Bears didn’t possess one this past season. It was one of numerous reasons that only two teams in the NFL gained fewer yards per game and no club totaled fewer passing yards in the league than the Bears.

During their Super Bowl season of 2016, the Atlanta Falcons found a real Jewel in free-agent Taylor Gabriel. The former member of the Cleveland Browns performer added a lot to a club that wound up leading the league in scoring that season. He was an ideal fit for then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan system.

In 13 regular-season outings that year, he totaled 630 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns — including six scoring receptions. A year ago, his numbers weren’t quite as dynamic. Then again, neither were the Falcons under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. That’s a story for another day.

Now Gabriel joins a new-look receiving corps in the Windy City. In each of his four NFL seasons with Cleveland and Atlanta, he’s caught at least 30 passes. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers by any stretch of the imagination. But he could be an ideal complimentary piece for second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky to take advantage of this season.

Next: No. 4

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