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The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching.
As Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and the rest of his staff look to finalize their big board, it’s time to look at some of the top prospects that the Bears could be evaluating.
Although the Bears already have DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at the wide receiver position, it’s never a bad idea to have too many playmakers, especially since the Bears will presumably take Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.
Using our “Bears 100” Draft Board, here are the top five wide receivers who should be in play for the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Harrison is arguably the best prospect in the entire draft. It’s hard to nitpick his game, as the 6-foot-3, 209-pound receiver can literally do everything that you could possibly want at the position. He can make the contested catch in tight windows. He understands how to break down a defensive back’s cushion to create separation. He also has the speed to create explosive plays down the field. Harrison is the total package and should be an immediate contributor in the NFL.
Now, this also means Harrison is extremely unlikely to fall to the Bears with their second first-round pick at No. 9 overall. If general manager Ryan Poles wants Harrison, he would have to move into the top five. Unless there is a huge disparity between Poles’ grade on Harrison and the rest of the receivers in this class, I doubt the third-year general manager makes that type of move.
Odunze is clearly the fan favorite for the Bears with the ninth overall pick. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound play maker consistently wins in contested catch situations. When the ball is in the air, he has the ability to control his body while also utilizing his frame to box out smaller defensive backs. Another consistent aspect of Odunze’s game are his soft hands. Even if a pass isn’t on target, Odunze finds ways to complete the play.
There is a realistic chance that Odunze will still be available when the Bears pick at nine. The former Washington Husky would make an already strong wide receiver room with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen even more potent. With 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) such a common grouping in today’s NFL, the Bears’ offense would create a lot of complications for opposing defenses with all the play making wide receivers on the field.
Nabers can best be described with the word explosive. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he can just hit another gear and run away from opposing defenders. There’s a reason why he led the SEC with his 1,569 receiving yards in 2023. He’s at his best when running seam, post and vertical routes and combines his ability to track the ball in the air to create those big plays downfield.
Nabers would also be a great selection for the Bears with their second first-round pick. Odunze is slotted ahead of Nabers, but there isn’t too much of a gap, especially since both receivers would be impactful players but would create those type of plays in different ways.
Thomas is the other LSU receiver prospect in this clss, but he also is no stranger when it comes to creating plays downfield. The 6-foot-2, 209-pound playmaker ended the 2023 season with 17 touchdown receptions, which was three more than Nabers. Thomas can lineup outside or in the slot and understands how to get a clean release off the line of scrimmage, which helps him create separation downfield. It also helps that Thomas has 4.33 speed.
Unlike the top three receivers, it would be a little rich to take Thomas in the top 10. He would fall under the trade back category if Poles elects to go that route. Thomas is one of my favorite prospects in this draft, so if the Bears can add a deep play threat like him, I’m sure offensive coordinator Shane Waldron wouldn’t mind that at all.
Mitchell is another big-bodied receiver who can absolutely fly. At 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Mitchell ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. He is a crafty route runner and creates a ton of separation on in-breaking routes when he plants his outside foot into the ground. His ability to track the ball in the air also stands out in his game.
Mitchell is another candidate who would be in contention for the Bears if the team trades back from nine.
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