This speedy WR prospect is an intriguing fit with Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears reportedly are using one of their 30 pre-draft visits on wide receiver Danny Gray. Gray is now the third wide receiver to reportedly visit the team, so there is an obvious interest to draft the position. Is Danny Gray a fit for the Bears, and at what point in the 2022 NFL draft would that occur?

Who is Danny Gray?

Danny Gray was a track athlete who originally committed to Missouri. He was declared academically ineligible and spent two years at a JuCo before transferring to SMU. During the awkward 2020 year, he started to gain traction but broke out in 2021.

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According to player profiler, Danny Gray was above average in yards per reception. However, he was close to average in his target share, and dominator rating. He was below average in breakout age, mainly because he took the transfer route. Last season he was first-team All-AAC, and led his team in receiving yards, and catches.

Thanks to MockDraftable we can see how Danny Gray compares to other wide receivers at past NFL combines. The bigger the web is will show how athletic the player is in that area.

Danny Gray is on the smaller side. Still, it is good to know that we have seen wide receivers of his size succeed and that he can overcome that with a wingspan that is average and a hand size that is above average.

If you are going to be that small you had better run in the 4.3s, and Gray did just that. It is interesting to see his vertical so low with his broad so high because they typically can be correlated.

Where Danny Gray will succeed in the NFL

The obvious first draw for Danny Gray is speed. Still, he is not just a one-route runner, and he can move around from the outside and into the slot. Gray can be used in the screen game and near the line of scrimmage, but he can also take the top off deep down the field.

The blend of being able to fill multiple roles in multiple areas of the field is enticing. Gray has shown the ability to run routes over the middle of the field and has extended his catch radius when needed.

Where Danny Danny Gray may struggle in the NFL

Most of the knocks on Danny Gray come down to his size. He played the outside often in the NFL, and while he can play the Z at times, most of his play will have to come from the slot. He can extend his catch radius, but it only goes so far.

Beyond that, the contested catch is not going to be something in his arsenal. Gray is fast with the ball in his hands, but is not going to break many tackles in terms of strength, and even is not the most laterally dynamic player. Overall, his role should be looked at as a slot who can stretch the field, but also use his speed on drags, and screens.

NFL Comparison for Danny Gray

The best NFL comparison for Danny Gray is Quez Watkins. Below you can see how they compare athletically thanks to RAS scores.

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They are going to come into the NFL with a similar role and expectations as well. They both can play the Z at times but are best when they move into the slot and are used to stretch the field. Still, they are small and cannot make the big contested catches down the field.

Quez Watkins played the outside at college but quickly adjusted to the slot, mainly because Philadelphia kept asking him to run routes down the field, and not the quick slot routes you typically see. the team drafting Danny Gray could get the best out of him if they do the same.

Still, the Eagles are hoping to add another threat across from Devonta Smith and let Watkins be their clear number three. That is the likely role and outcome for Danny Gray as well.

Should Chicago Bears draft Danny Gray

Before free agency, I noted that while Christian Kirk is a slot wideout, his ability to stretch the field from the slot would make him a fit with Justin Fields. Of course, no one knew he would get paid like that. Still, the same logic can be applied to Danny Gray.

You are not going to win with Justin Fields throwing five-yard timing routes. Justin Fields needs his slot to be able to test safeties, which only opens up the deep ball for other weapons. That is his style.

With that in mind, it is not shocking that the first three wide receivers that the Bears have met with are Jalen Nailor, Tyquan Thornton, and Danny Gray, three players who thrive at stretching the field.

Danny Gray is slotted to go around pick 140, and the Chicago Bears pick 148th. If he were able to fall a pick or two into that would be a perfect round five fits. Quez Watkins went round six, but this draft is not as strong and his success could help Gray go in round five.

Of the three, Gray may be the most complete wide receiver, over Nailor and Thornton.