It's not quite the "four out of five dentists agree" endorsement, but two out of five Around the NFL writers believe Bears rookie receiver Kevin White (drafted seventh overall) will have **more receiving yards** this season than any of his classmates. White was the only rook to receive two votes.
White will be in line to replace departed Brandon Marshall and join Alshon Jeffery as Chicago's top threats at the position, and Chris Wesseling believes that and the presence of Jay Cutler will work to White's advantage.
Wesseling wrote:
"At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with 4.35 wheels, White can excel on the basic slants, crossers, bubble screens and go routes as a rookie while gradually learning how to read and react to NFL coverages. Unlike No. 4 overall pick Amari Cooper, White will have benefit of an established veteran quarterback as well as another dynamic wideout in Alshon Jeffery to draw coverage away. Neslon Agholor is a sleeper as the potential No. 1 receiver in Chip Kelly's offense, but White's talent edge is considerable."
Counterpart called White a "ready-made NFL wideout" and also things Jeffery and Cutler should position him for a high level of production. Patra wrote:
"With Jeffery necessitating additional coverage weekly, White will be one of the few rookie receivers who will face a No. 2 corner and few double teams. White's speed and run-after-the-catch ability should flourish in coordinator Adam Gase's system. For all his warts, Jay Cutler can still sling the ball and won't hesitate to chuck it to his top two options. White will get the targets and production in 2015 to lead another stellar rookie class of receivers."
A factor that could work against White posting more yards than other rookies, however, is the production in the passing game provided by tight end Martellus Bennett (916 yards on 90 catches) and running back Matt Forte (808 yards on 102 catches) in 2014.
Much can happen between now and Nov. 1 when the Vikings are scheduled to visit the Bears in the first of two meetings, but it's also worth noting that Minnesota drafted cornerback Trae Waynes, who clocked a 4.31 in the 40, four spots after White came off the board. Waynes and Minnesota's nine other picks **signed** their contracts Thursday and are beginning a three-day **rookie minicamp** today. Click **here** to read more about Waynes' journey to the NFL.
In case you missed it:
Earlier this week, we recapped analysts' **grades** of the Vikings draft, but how did the selections shape Pete Prisco's **Power Rankings*** *of the teams? Prisco moved Minnesota up six spots (largest gain by any team) and wrote for CBS Sports: "GM Rick Spielman had another good draft (Trae Waynes, Eric Kendricks) and this team is loaded with young talent. If Teddy Bridgewater continues to grow, they could be a playoff team."
Star Tribune's Matt Vensel tracked down "**Hell’s Trainer**" to learn about workouts he guided Cordarrelle Patterson through this offseason.
Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that Waynes will have "**no problem*** *challenging people."
1500 ESPN's Andrew Krammer took a look at the opportunities awaiting Vikings receivers in the **slot**.
Governor Mark Dayton announced the formation of the Minnesota College Football Playoff Steering Committee to begin work on a bid **to host** the CFP National Championship in 2020 in the new Vikings stadium. The bid is due May 27.
