Bears Day 2 Draft Prospects: Wide Receiver
A lot has been written already about who the Chicago Bears first round pick (#11) will be, so I’m going to look at who might be options for the Bears in rounds two and three of the draft. The Bears filled some holes via free agency and should fill another one in the first round, but there will still be plenty of positions left that need upgrades. I’ll be breaking down potential targets for the Bears on day 2 of the draft at different positions of need over the next few weeks.
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There are links to the positions I’ve already covered below, but today I’m looking at potential wide receivers the Bears could target on day 2 of the draft. The Bears have two potentially dominant wide receivers in Alshon Jeffery and last year’s first round pick Kevin White. Both receivers are projected to play outside with injury-prone veteran Eddie Royal in the slot.
The Bears aren’t going to find an upgrade over Jeffery or White in the draft, but Royal’s age (29) and inability to stay on the field may push the Bears into drafting a slot receiver on day two or three. Alshon Jeffery’s contract situation may lead the Bears into drafting an outside receiver as well. Jeffery is going to be a free agent after the season if the Bears can’t re-sign him first and with White’s #1 WR potential, the Bears may look for a long-term replacement for Jeffery and perhaps as importantly some leverage in contract negotiations.
I’ve listed receivers in both the slot and outside that should be available on the draft’s second day with a brief scouting report on each.
Day 2 Draft Prospects
I’ve listed the wide receivers that I project to be available in rounds 2 or 3 below who I think could be good fits for the Bears, listed in order of preference. If you have any questions, complaints, or advice… hit me up in the comments or on Twitter (@MFlannery_)
Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas, Ohio St (6’3 | 212 | 4.52) – Prototype size, weight, and speed for an NFL #1 WR, but Thomas still has some work to do before he gets there. He has the hands for it, as he only dropped five passes the last two season out of 110 catchable balls. His size gives him an ideal catch radius and if it’s near him, Thomas usually hauls it in.
Thomas also uses his hands well to beat jams and press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Once he makes the catch, Thomas can make people miss as well, forcing a missed tackle on 23% of his catches last season. The size, hands, and elusiveness are there for Thomas to become an elite NFL receiver, but needs to improve his route runner first. His routes aren’t bad, but get sloppy at times and he needs to learn more of the route tree. Thomas also gets passive at times and has disappeared in big games for the Buckeyes.
He has the upside to be a Demaryius Thomas type at the next level, but Michael Crabtree might be a more realistic comparison. Thomas wasn’t as productive as a player with his skill set should be last season (56, 781, 9), but that may have more to do with the inconsistent play and turnover at the QB position.
The Bears already have two outside receivers in Jeffery and White, but with Jeffery’s uncertain contract situation and White’s questionable health… The Bears may be looking to draft a true outside (X) receiver as a replacement if either one of them miss time.
Next: Sterling Shepard