Bernard Berrian

Signed to be the Vikings No. 1 receiver and deep threat, Berrian has fallen to third fiddle behind Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin — whether or not Brett Favre comes back. And that’s not even counting tight end Visanthe Shiancoe who sees much of the work near the goal line. Berrian had a pedestrian season in 2009, especially given the outstanding production of his teammates. Known for his deep speed, Berrian averaged just 11.2 yards per catch and 6.7 yards per target. He did see 17 red-zone looks, but only three of those were from inside the 10. At 6-1, 185, and with excellent straightahead speed, Berrian has the skills to stretch the field, but wasn’t used much in that role. He’s not stoutly built and isn’t likely to see much work in the middle of the field, either.

The league-leader in yards per catch (20.1), the speedy Berrian made opposing defenses pay for stacking the box against Adrian Peterson. Of Berrian’s 95 targets, 14 went for 20 yards or more, and a whopping seven (tied for 3rd) went for 40-plus. In fact, Berrian produced the most 40-yard plays per target (seven percent) of any receiver in the league. Berrian’s huge receiving average also made him the third most efficient receiver in the league at 10.2 yards per look, even though he hauled in just 51 percent of his targets. Of course, when you’re 20 yards down the field, that’s actually quite a good catch percentage. At 6-1, 185, Berrian’s got just average size and not a lot of bulk. He’s improved his route running over the last couple seasons, but he’s not the type to make frequent plays over the middle, and the team almost never uses him in the red zone (eight targets, one score). On the bright side, Berrian is the team’s unquestioned No. 1 receiver (at press time Bobby Wade was next on the depth chart), teams are still going to stack the box against Peterson, leaving Berrian in man coverage much of the time, and the addition of quarterback Sage Rosenfels should improve the Vikings vertical passing game generally (assuming he beats out Tarvaris Jackson). Rookie wideout Percy Harvin is a bit of a wild card – it remains to be seen how the Vikings use him, and there are still rumors at press time that the Vikings are interested in signing Brett Favre. At this point it’s hard to say whether Favre would actually be an upgrade over Rosenfels.

After toiling four years in Chicago's passing-game wasteland, Berrian might have entered even more barren territory in Minnesota. Between the Vikings' rugged defense, their all-world running game and their unpolished young quarterback, downfield targets could be hard to come by. We tabbed the 6-1, 185-pound speedster as a one-trick pony last year, able to hurt defenses with the long bomb but lacking in consistency. But Berrian improved his route running last season, catching 55 percent of his targets and hauling in a career-high 70 passes. Of course, he rarely saw red-zone work (just 18 targets in two years combined), and given his slight build and the presence of the taller Sidney Rice, Berrian might still have to do most of his damage from long range.

Berrian emerged as a dangerous deep threat during his third season in the league, pulling in six passes of 40 yards or more (tied for third) and averaging 15.2 yards per catch. Of course the Bears’ passing game was inconsistent, and so was Berrian’s production. That only five (dead last among receivers with 100 or more targets) of his 102 targets came in the red zone only compounded that. Berrian has good speed and excellent quickness, but at 6-1, 180, he’s not the type of receiver who will break tackles or make tough catches over the middle. Berrian has good hands and excellent body control enabling him to make a play on deep balls, but he’s a poor route-runner and unlikely to be the team’s go-to guy on a regular basis. Bump up his value in distance scoring leagues, though.

Berrian enters training camp as the odds on favorite to win the No. 2 receiver job. Always a deep threat thanks to his blazing speed, the Fresno State product has done little in his two-year career, totaling just 28 catches for 471 yards and two TD. However, the Bears like his big-play potential coupled with Rex Grossman's strong arm, so he'll definitely see increased playing time this year. Berrian still has to fend off Mark Bradley in the preseason to earn a starting spot, but he's a deep fantasy sleeper if he winds up as Chicago's No. 2 WR.

Berrian showed glimpses as a rookie last year of his incredible big-play potential. Though he's a bit wiry at 6-1, 185 lbs., Berrian's blazing speed makes him the Bears' most dangerous deep threat. Berrian, who will also work as a return man this season, is expected to be the team's third wideout, though he could knock off Justin Gage for the No. 2 receiver job with a good preseason. Regardless of where he is on the depth chart, Berrian is a touchdown threat on every play, making him a definite fantasy sleeper this year.

Berrian, a rookie, has a crowded receiving corps ahead of him on the depth chart. However, he does have one thing most of the other Bears receivers don't - speed. He will be used to stretch defenses in a new more open offense. Keep an eye on him as a possible deep sleeper.