Marc Mariani
WR -
2024 Outlook
Veteran WR Marc Mariani was released by the Bears on Saturday.
Fantasy Impact
Believed to be a lock for the final roster, he was cut along with this year's seventh round pick Daniel Braverman. The Bears now only have one true slot wide receiver in Eddie Royal. Mariani will have a tough time finding a landing spot.
Veteran WR/KR Marc Mariani is battling for a roster spot after re-signing with the team on a one-year deal. He emerged late last season as a reliable third down target for QB Jay Cutler.
Fantasy Impact
On Monday, he was "one of the best performers" according to Sun-Times' Adam Jahns. Jahns says Mariani stood out making catches over the middle in team drills. The Bears would love for Mariani to stick around. He's valuable as a depth WR and return man.
Marc Mariani saw time with the ones on Thursday. He seemed to have taken over Eddie Royal's spot, who is out with a concussion. Mariani finished the night without a catch. It looked like he caught one for a first down early in the game, but the refs waved it off as an incompletion.
Fantasy Impact
Mariani needs to have a good preseason to make the 53-man roster. He solidified himself as the returner last season, but there are many mouths to feed in the Bears' wide receiver corps. Even if Mariani makes the team, he is not going to have a fantasy impact unless a few injuries occur.
Marc Mariani signed with the Bears late in 2014 as a return specialist. He averaged 25.5 YPR which included a long of 67 in six games, but last season his role there went away. Mariani did make a mark on offense for the first time since 2011.
Fantasy Impact
19 of his 22 receptions went for first downs as Mariani proved to be a reliable third down target for QB Jay Cutler. Cutler looked to Mariani often and the two proved to have solid chemistry. However, despite his 300-yard season, Mariani likely won't be a returner this season limiting his role to offense. Behind Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, he'll have to show he belongs as Cameron Meredith, Josh Bellamy, Deonte Thompson and seventh-round rookie Daniel Braverman are all vying for that fifth WR spot.
Marc Mariani was the main contributor of the receivers in the final game of the regular season on Sunday. He finished with six catches for 80 yards.
Fantasy Impact
Mariani was quarterback Jay Cutler's favorite target on Sunday, although he was not able to find the endzone.