Insider Hints A High Bears WR Draft Pick Is Coming — Who To Watch And Why
The Chicago Bears taught us a lesson last year. Stop looking at positional need as the driving force of what they do in the draft. Not a single person had tight end even in the top three of positional needs going into the 2025 draft. That didn’t stop Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson from taking Colston Loveland 10th overall. Yet even now, lots of people are looking at the team’s 25th overall pick through the lens of what their biggest needs are. Growing evidence suggests that it is a mistake.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has dropped hints for weeks that the organization is operating with a different perspective than fans and media. The Bears understand they still have needs at several positions, but they can’t focus solely on filling them. They must stay true to their board. All options must remain open. That is why wide receiver is considerably higher on the list that people are talking about. Biggs seems confident that Chicago will grab one even as early as the 1st round.
The Bears have four picks in the first two days of the draft: Round 1 (No. 25), Round 2 (57), Round 2 (60) and Round 3 (89). We can call those their early selections.
My hunch is they would draft a receiver before a running back. I say that because teams can do well with running backs selected on Day 3, and the Bears certainly did with Kyle Monangai last year.
Here are some positions to keep in mind when wondering about the picks in Rounds 1-3: edge rusher, safety, center, wide receiver, defensive tackle, cornerback, linebacker.
The Chicago Bears have good reasons for this.
For one, their wide receiving corps took a hit this offseason. D.J. Moore, their biggest playmaker over the past three years, was traded to Buffalo due to salary cap problems. Olamide Zaccheaus also left in free agency for Atlanta. Last but not least, kick returner Devin Duvernay departed for Arizona. While the Bears still have Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, the overall depth of the position took a considerable hit over the past month. That is, even with the arrival of veteran Kalif Raymond to fill some of the void.
| Player | New Team | Transaction | Rec | Yds | TD | Avg | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Moore | Buffalo Bills | Traded | 50 | 682 | 6 | 13.6 | Also had 79 rushing yards and 1 TD. |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | Atlanta Falcons | Free Agency | 39 | 313 | 2 | 8.0 | Primary slot option for much of the season. |
| Devin Duvernay | Arizona Cardinals | Free Agency | 2 | 26 | 0 | 13.0 | Served as a core returner with 1,300 total return yards. |
Then you have the uncertainty at the top. Odunze and Burden are unquestionably talented and have flashed brilliance. The problem is that both have some concerns. Odunze missed much of last season with a lingering foot injury. Burden still suffers from consistency issues that require work to smooth out. After that, you have Jahdae Walker, a former undrafted free agent who had some nice plays as a rookie but is still a work-in-progress. It’s not hard to see why the Bears would prefer adding some insurance to the mix. Here are some names almost certain to be high on their board.
Makai Lemon (USC)
When Amon-Ra St. Brown is dropped as a pro comparison, you immediately know Ben Johnson sits up in his chair. After all, Colston Loveland was compared to Sam LaPorta. Lemon isn’t a speed demon, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s a sharp route-runner who creates space for himself quite often. Yet even when he doesn’t, he has the toughness and strong hands to make catches in tight coverage. His footwork is surprisingly advanced for someone his age, and he doesn’t ignore his duties as a run-blocker. Posting 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season despite middling quarterback play only helps his case.
Germie Bernard (Alabama)
For all the hype Ryan Williams has gotten down in Tuscaloosa since his breakout freshman season, it wasn’t him who Ty Simpson looked for in key situations most of last season. That was Bernard. It isn’t hard to see why. At first, you don’t get overwhelmed by the receiver. He’s 6’1″, 206 lbs, and has good-not-great speed. What separates him from others in this class is his route-running. He has that critical mix of great acceleration, sudden quickness, and the agility to rapidly change directions. Another big selling point is his YAC ability, making him a more versatile weapon for creative offensive minds.
Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
Plenty of players contributed to the Hoosiers’ national championship run, and Cooper was among the biggest. He is one of those guys where you must get the ball in his hands as often as possible just to see what he does. He has Deebo Samuel skills, mixing the smooth route-running with a rugged, physical style of play. He welcomes contact, can fight through it, and has a keen nose for the end zone. The big issue the Chicago Bears will have to determine is whether he can improve his efforts in run-blocking. That has been a considerable sticking point for several draft evaluators.
Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
Conversely, Fields might be the best run-blocker in the entire draft. He’s big, strong, and aims to physically dominate on every rep. Yet that isn’t the only selling point. Fields is your quintessential big wide receiver. He understands how to use his size to his advantage, constantly boxing out defenders for tough catches in traffic. His large wingspan allows him to go up and get the ball. He’s somebody who thrives on third down and in the red zone. Teams will knock him for his lack of speed. That isn’t his game. For what the Chicago Bears’ offense likes to do, he would be a great fit.
De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss)
The fact that they already met with him should tell you they’re interested. Stribling is one of those receivers who does everything well. He’s a good route-runner, has legitimate vertical speed, plays his best in big games, and is a competitive blocker. The downside with him is how often he comes up short in contested-catch situations. He has the size to win his share of battles, but doesn’t do so often enough. Drafting him will depend on how much the Bears think they can help with that, or if they’re willing to live with it. There is plenty he can do for an offense. He is an easy player to like on tape.