He’s still just a kick returner who happens to be playing the role of a WR1. However, Jay Cutler’s arrival in town makes the idea of Hester on your squad a bit more palatable. By no means will he be great, but Hester will house a few long ones and, if you time it just right, he could win you a couple of weeks all by himself.
('09 Proj: 60 rec, 875 yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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Nobody stands to benefit more from the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler than Hester; at the same time, Hester will have nobody else but himself to blame if he fails to produce at a level commensurate with the mega-deal he signed in 2008. It’s impossible to trust him entirely, but the Cutler factor may be overlooked in many fantasy circles. He could offer real value if he slips into the middle rounds, but do not draft him as a more than a No. 3 option as his position.
('09 Proj: 65 rec, 1,000 yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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I have already pimped Hester big time in my Help Wanted (NFC North) piece and that was even before the Bears landed Jay Cutler. I expect Hester to fully emerge as a #1 wide receiver for the Bears and be a full time fantasy contributor as a #3 by mid-season.
('09 Proj: 70 rec, 850 yds, 8 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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You can’t spell Cutler without “the U”, as former Miami Hurricanes players Devin Hester and Greg Olsen will be given every opportunity to be Cutler’s big play boys. Hester showed some promise last year as he continued to make the transition from defense to wide receiver. Hester should see quite a few downfield opportunities this year as Cutler is one of the few NFL quarterbacks who has an arm that Hester’s legs won't outrun. Not a lot of risk here, but could be a high upside number 3 receiver when the smoke clears.
('09 Proj: 950 yards, 7 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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Devin Hester’s receiving ability is suspect in comparison to his return skills. Then again, he is still becoming acclimated to the position. The addition of Jay Cutler will no doubt prove to be beneficial. Hester could easily turn into a decent No. 3 fantasy receiver. That, or the Bears could go out and bolster their receiving corps, thereby making Hester somewhat insignificant.
('09 Proj: 64 rec, 880 yds, 4 touchdowns) ~John Kezer
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Hester continues to improve as a receiver and with Jay Cutler now on board and a crew of subpar receivers around him, Hester could be primed for a big season. There is no reason to think he cannot improve on his 51 receptions, 665 yards, and three touchdowns he put up last year.
('09 Proj: 74 rec, 1,030 yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Robb Perkins
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I'm with Mazzola on this one. I thought the contract Hester signed last offseason was downright laughable. To think you can just throw a speedster out there and Forrest Gump your way to touchdowns in the NFL is absurd. Premiere wideouts spend years polishing the art of selling cuts, correctly identifying a hot route situation, etc. BUT...the arrival of Jay Cutler does change things to an extent. I think he'll improve on his numbers from last year, but my guess is he goes entirely too high in most drafts as, even his best scenario, is a solid Santana Moss type contribution.
('09 Proj: 70 rec, 975 yds, 5 touchdowns) ~Rick Perkins
