Chicago Bears – Favorite Wide Receiver Targets
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3 (#81) – Bruce Ellington, South Carolina (5’9, 197): Ellington is a phenomenal athlete (he was South Carolina’s starting point guard as a freshman). He lacks height, but is thickly built and with a 39.5″ vertical can go up and get the ball. Ellington’s best trait is his quickness and he should be a dangerous underneath receiver. He moves like a running back after the catch and would give the Bears a weapon over the middle that they just don’t have right now.
Round 4 (#117) – Devin Street, Pittsburgh (6’3, 198): Good size, good hands, smooth route-runner and tough enough to absorb contact over the middle and make the catch. Street is a classic possession receiver and maybe more after running a surprising 4.48 at his pro day. Street had a productive career at Pitt (202 receptions) and is one of my favorite under the radar receivers in this year’s draft.
Round 5 (#156) – Dri Archer, Kent St (5’8, 173): Bears replace Devin Hester with the fastest player in college football last year (4.26 40-time!). Archer is the best return man in the draft, but he is more than just a track star; Archer is a well-rounded football player who had 24 rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving touchdowns, and 4 kick return touchdowns in his career at Kent St. He is more Darren Sproles than Devin Hester and would give Marc Trestman a dangerous weapon on offense that he could use on reverses, draws, screens and whatever other craziness he can come up with. Archer is very small at 173 pounds, but he’s not fragile and very strong (20 reps of 225 pounds). He would be a weapon in the return game right away and can eventually contribute on offense.
Round 6 (#183) – Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma (5’9, 165): One of the quickest receivers in the draft who plays tougher than his 165 pounds. Saunders could develop into a dangerous slot receiver and return man.
Round 6 (#191) – Austin Franklin, New Mexico St (5’11, 189): Franklin is very quick with good acceleration and elite elusiveness after the catch. He could develop into a weapon over the middle on short routes that he can turn into long gains.
UFA – Quincy Enunwa, Nebraska (6’2, 225): A big receiver with great size & strength who surprised at the combine with a 4.46 40-time. Enunwa was a team captain as a 21-year old senior which shows a knack for leadership and football smarts. His hands aren’t great and his route running needs some work, but he has the physical attributes and intelligence to be a productive outside receiver in the NFL. Good upside for a guy who will probably be a UFA.