Analyst believes Bears could be contenders for former first-round WR Kadarius Toney

As quarterback Justin Fields continues to struggle, it would behoove the Chicago Bears to acquire some help for the second-year QB before the Nov. 1 NFL trade deadline.

Several receivers have been reported to be available on the trade block, and NFL analyst Justin Melo of The Draft Network believes that the Bears make sense as potential trade partners for the New York Giants, who may be shopping wideout Kadarius Toney.

“Toney offers more than immediate assistance,” Melo said. “Toney’s youth (23) and rookie contract make him worth building a future with. Adding Toney would also help the Bears simplify their offense. Toney’s ability to pick up chunks of yardage via bubble screens, jet sweeps, and other manufactured touches would be a much-welcomed addition to a Bears passing attack that makes even the easiest of tasks appear overly difficult. Chicago’s current wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator is Tyke Tolbert, who coached Toney in the same role with the Giants last season.”

Despite being the 20th overall pick in last year’s draft, Toney has had an underwhelming season-plus in New York.

He was targeted 57 times during his rookie season, bringing in 39 receptions for 420 yards, but he’s played only 35 offensive snaps over two games this season, recording just two receptions for zero yards. Toney has been passed on New York’s depth chart by Richie James, Darius Slayton, David Sills V, and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson.

Toney’s presence could provide a boost to a Bears pass-catching group that ranks last in the NFL in receptions (63), receiving yards (869), and touchdowns (4), and he could serve as a reliable check-down option for Fields, who ranks 29th in passing yards (869), 32nd in passer rating (72.7), and 33rd in completion percentage (54.8).

Darnell Mooney is Chicago’s only receiver with more than six receptions and more than 150 receiving yards this season.