Tyler

Scott

Picked by the Bears in the fourth round, Tyler Scott mostly operated as the fourth receiver in the offense as a rookie. His best game was a three-catch performance in Week 15, which amounted to 49 yards. Scott finishes the season with 18 receptions, 168 receiving yards, and no touchdowns. The Bears may have some moving parts on offense (including at quarterback) in the offseason, so Scott’s role is not yet set in stone. However, he was barely on the fantasy radar for 2023, and with DJ Moore and Cole Kmet still leading the way for Bears pass-catchers, Scott is a late-round dart throw at best for 2024.

Scott saw four targets as the Bears’ WR3 with Chase Claypool now out of Chicago. The rookie caught two of his targets and also drew a big 36-yard defensive pass interference late in the game. Scott is getting integrated into the Bears offense but is not yet fantasy relevant for a Week 7 showdown against the Raiders.

When Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was asked about Claypool being inactive on Sunday, he said, “We’re looking at all possibilities right now.” Claypool was widely criticized for his effort in Sunday’s loss to the Packers, and it appears that the concern is felt inside the Bears’ organization as well. If Claypool were to be inactive, that could mean a bigger role for Darnell Mooney and rookie Tyler Scott on Sunday against the Bucs.

Scott (5’10/177) was a high school running back recruited by numerous Power Five programs, but he ultimately opted to stay in Ohio and play for the Bearcats. He didn’t see much action as a freshman but got on the field more in his second season. Scott earned a full-time role in 2022 and posted a true breakout campaign with a 54-899-9 receiving line. Despite his size, Scott played primarily on the outside, beating corners with his route-running and blazing speed. Scott doesn’t have the physicality to consistently beat man coverage and also committed more than his fair share of drops. He only has two years of playing time as a receiver under his belt, so there’s more room for him to grow than most prospects. If he hits his ceiling, Scott could look something like T.Y. Hilton at the next level. Still only 21 years old, Scott is a projectable talent for the Bears’ improving receiver corps.

While Scott (5'11/177) is the lone underclassmen among Cincinnati’s starting wide receivers, with seniors Alec Pierce and Michael Young Jr. also atop the depth chart, that doesn’t mean he lacks for experience. As a freshman last season Scott appeared in ten games for the Bearcats, catching three passes for 20 yards and rushing for another 20 yards on one carry. While Pierce and Young stand to be QB Desmond Ridder’s top targets, Scott’s production should increase this fall.

Scott (5'10/170) did take an official visit to Indiana, but told 247Sports that Cincinnati “kept coming back” when he was doing the mental gymnastics of weighing his options. The Baberton, Ohio, native is a versatile athlete, one who profiles as a likely slot receiver/special teams return man for the collegiate ranks. On the 247Sports composite board, Scott files in as the No. 42 prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2020 cycle.