Chicago Bears Draft: One wide receiver to take in each round
By Ryan Sikes
Aaron Parker, Rhode Island
Ready for the late-round gem? I’d like to introduce everyone to Aaron Parker, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver from an FCS school. He’s gotten better every year at Rhode Island, capped by an 81-reception, 1,224-yard senior year to go along with nine touchdowns.
He accumulated 3,460 yards in four seasons on campus and was named a team captain last year. I studied his film against Ohio from 2019, and several items jumped off the page.
While the talent is there, there were at least three occasions that he lost focus and dropped a would-be catch. I thought his route-running was crisp, and he’s a physical run-blocker as well.
He has good size and good speed, as shown in his 4.57 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Parker isn’t the most athletic wide receiver – 26.5 inch vertical – but he has great body control.
I saw him line up both at the slot receiver and on the outside, so his versatility cannot be ignored. I think he has more talent than Javon Wims, so there is potential for him to stick on the Chicago Bears roster. And he could potentially be one of the more underrated receiver prospects in this draft simply because he didn’t get the same exposure.
Avoid the temptation for Love. dark. Next
A couple of concerns here that are correctable, but the upside in Parker is enormous. Which receiver intrigues you the most?