Ranking the top 20 prospects the Bears must have on their big board pre-Combine

5. Malik Nabers, WR - LSU

The second-best wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft is Malik Nabers. I have recently seen many stating that Nabers is the true WR1 in this draft class and I still push back on that narrative. That said, I'd feel very comfortable with Nabers should the Chicago Bears move down from one to somewhere outside of the top three. I almost guarantee if Marvin Harrison, Jr. is available at four, the Cardinals are going to take him.

One issue with Nabers in Chicago is that he is a little too similar to DJ Moore. That said, I think both could easily coexist. In fact, with the right offensive coordinator, both could probably flourish. Like Moore, Nabers is a YAC receiver. He can play pretty much anywhere (slot, outside, etc.). He brings similar size and speed as Moore too.

Other notes I have on Nabers include his ability to win contested balls is better than many give him credit for. He is highly athletic. His route-running ability is superb. He has good hands and catches the ball away from his body most of the time. He won't consistently blow doors off defenders since his explosiveness doesn't equate to as good of deep-ball speed. That said, he's plenty fast and should be just fine at the NFL level.