Brandon Marshall

When practice concluded Tuesday, a reporter intercepted Bears rookie WR Alshon Jeffery and relayed the high praise from Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman.

“The best way to say it is, he’s a Brandon Marshall in the making,” Tillman told the Sun-Times. “He has that capability to be as good as Brandon if he continues to have the work ethic and work on ball skills and work to be a better player. But he can definitely be on that level.”

While he doesn’t have blazing speed, Jeffery possesses good hands and an uncanny ability to use his 6-3 frame and 36½-inch vertical leap to haul in high passes over frustrated corners. He also has displayed better route-running skills than some projected and a willingness to block when he’s not the featured player on a particular play.

“He’s been outstanding,” coach Lovie Smith said. “He’s doing everything we ask him to, showing up, working hard. A rookie is supposed to come in and keep his mouth shut and learn and work hard and make plays, and he’s done all of that. It’s easy to like him.”

Jeffrey came into camp out of shape, but it appears those days are behind him. The team is desperate for playmakers in the passing game, so he should see enough snaps to be productive.