Chicago Bears: 5 possible early draft targets at WR
By Evan Bruner
Chicago Bears WR Draft Prospect: Jalin Hyatt – Tennessee
2022 stats: 67 catches | 1,267 yards | 15 touchdowns
What he brings to the table
Jalin Hyatt’s speed jumps out in film and is projected to run in the low 4.3s or even the high 4.2s at the combine. Along with this elite athleticism, he also has good ball tracking and body control. Hyatt can also get separation when moving laterally and has some of the best change of direction in the class. Even in the SEC, defenses seemingly had no answer for Hyatt’s explosiveness, and his 2022 season won him the Biletnikoff.
How he fits on the Bears
With players like Mooney, Claypool, and Jones Jr. already on the roster, it feels like the Bears have enough speed. But the Miami Dolphins wide receiver room is proof that there is no such thing as too much speed. However, much like Downs and Smith-Njigba, Hyatt has little experience playing on the outside and hasn’t dealt with much press coverage. The most recent comparison that comes to mind for Hyatt is the Lions’ Jameson Williams, who went in the early first round in last year’s draft despite recovering from an ACL tear.
Speed receivers are becoming more and more coveted by the day, and it’s fair to think that trend continues with Hyatt. The question is whether or not Poles is influenced enough by the speed already in the Bears locker room to go in a different direction. Still, a vertical threat with elite speed would open up the Bears’ passing attack.