Could the Chicago Bears surprise many of us by taking a pass catcher in the third round
As the days to the draft have gotten closer the anticipation of which running back the Chicago Bears may add has turned into a bit of anxiety about which backs will even be around by pick 87. Many of the top backs will be gone, and the best options from there may be found in round four and five.
The team could draft defense at 87, but is bringing back a lot of their unit from last season, and did a good job replacing the pieces lost. With a need to get the offense on a championship level the Chicago Bears could go outside of the expected by adding a pass catcher.
The team has left the breadcrumbs to the trail as well. They have brought in a variety of tight ends and wide receivers, all expected to go near the back end of the top 100. Matt Nagy loves diversity and mixing up personnel, would it be too crazy to see them add another tight end or receiver to give them even more options?
With that in mind, meet the five pass catchers the team has met with that could be drafted in round three.
5. Riley Ridley
Riley Ridley is a volatile prospect, so it would make sense that the Bears would be doing their homework on him. Ridley is a prized prospect who is the brother of Calvin Ridley and went to Georgia. However, he failed to eclipse 600 yards.
He also went to the combine and tested poorly despite good size.
So on one hand we have lineage in the NFL, pedigree, and strong route running that has many thinking he will translate. On the other side is a player who could not succeed in the SEC, and it may tie into his athletic limitations.
Ridley may fall to the third round because of these questions, but the Bears may bet on what they saw in their private workout to get the most out of a wide receiver. Adding him to a room with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel means he does not need to get on the field right away, and it gives him a group of competent route runners to maximize his size with.
Emanuel Hall
While Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller have great speed, some of their best work can be in the screen game. With Emanuel Hall there is no doubt about it, he is a deep field burner who can stretch the defense.
Hall averaged over 20 yards per reception getting behind SEC defenders and making plays down the field. The biggest issue with Hall has been his health. He has been on and off of the field, and as of now is looked at as a risky one-trick pony.
However, he went to the combine and raised eyes. He showed that he not only is healthy, but has the potential to add more to his game.
The Bears brought in Hall to see what kind of shape he is in, and what kind of routes he can run to expand his game in the NFL. Hall is a player with first round upside who will fall to round three because of his health. If the Bears trust their evaluations, they may pull the trigger on what they see as value.
Miles Boykin
While everyone was busy fawning over D.K. Metcalf and his combine performance, there was a hidden gem who had a better performance than him at the event. Miles Boykin of Notre Dame tested more similar to Julio Jones than D.K. Metcalf did.
Boykin has all of the upside in the world. So why is no one talking about him? It likely has to do with his lack of production at Notre Dame, and an inability to climb. the depth chart.
Boykin is raw, but has shown glimpses of excellence in his play. He is a deep threat who played on a run heavy team that was looking to check the ball down. He was a round peg trying to cram into a square hole.
The Bears brought in Boykin to see just how this ceiling could be. He is the type of player that you run up and take if he falls to pick 87. It does not matter about need. His raw ability has opened the possibility that he does slide, and that is why the Chicago Bears have decided to do their
homework.
He does not need to be on the field right away, but as a longterm investment, it would be hard to pass up with their first draft pick.
Josh Oliver
Josh Oliver is an extremely intruguing prospect. Coming from San Jose State, Oliver led the country in deep yards and slot yards for a tight end. He was a seam strecther who made big plays happen over the middle of the field.
When Oliver went to the combine, he showed he is ready for the next level. Oliver showed his huge hands that flash catching passes over the seams, but also in a strong 40, and good jump numbers.
Josh Oliver is going to fall into the third round because of his blocking ability. He is willing, but is raw as a player who lines up in the slot more than in-line.
However, the way the Bears have been looking at pass catching tight ends, they very well may be looking to keep Adam Shaheen in-line, use Trey Burton as a move tight end, and add a player such as Josh Oliver to add into the slot.
The versatility of all three tight ends would have Matt Nagy salivating. Would he pull that trigger in round three?
Jace Sternberger
Jace Sternberger is a sound overalll prospect. He is not an elite blocker, but is a bit more refined than Josh Oliver in this area. However, he is a a very refined pass catcher who could go into an NFL lineup almost immediately.
Sternberger has a refined route tree, and is a smooth pass catcher. However, he is not a top overall athlete, which certainly limits his ceiling.
Josh Oliver has the upside to be a more complete overall tight end, but Sternberger can help the Chicago Bears win next season. It will be which direction they go if they do take a look at a tight end.
However, it is fair to note that if they want to grab either of these players, it will have to be at pick 87. Considering they have not looked into other tight ends suggests they may look for one at 87, and look into the depth of the running backs later.