During one of the busiest periods of the predraft process, new Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles sat in a room inside the Indianapolis Convention Center and acknowledged his responsibility in procuring more offensive talent for quarterback Justin Fields. At that week’ s scouting combine, Poles was eager to identify players who could fit what the Bears…
During one of the busiest periods of the predraft process, new Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles sat in a room inside the Indianapolis Convention Center and acknowledged his responsibility in procuring more offensive talent for quarterback Justin Fields. At that week’s scouting combine, Poles was eager to identify players who could fit what the Bears are looking for. Naturally, as a former offensive lineman, Poles emphasized the need to fortify the protection in front of Fields. But he also recognized Fields’ Year 2 growth curve will be heavily influenced by the pass-catchers he has and stressed the need to find “a dependability piece” for the starting quarterback. Said Poles: “For a lot of the really good quarterbacks, especially the young ones, when things go crazy who can they go to that they trust and is dependable and can make plays?” It’s no secret that Poles will head into this week’s draft — his first in the Halas Hall captain’s chair — determined to add to the receiving corps. The Bears currently own a pair of second-round picks (Nos.39 and 48) and have a third-round selection at No.71. Smart money says Poles will grab at least one receiver out of a deep draft class before Friday night is over. But there’s not necessarily a specific mold he’s looking to fill. “They come in different shapes and sizes and speeds,” Poles said in early March. “(It’s about) guys who can make plays when their number is called. That’s what we look for.” Without a first-round pick — the Bears’ No.7 selection was traded to the New York Giants a year ago in the deal to land Fields — Poles and his staff may have to sit patiently as the best receivers come off the board. Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson. Southern California’s Drake London. Alabama’s Jameson Williams. Arkansas’ Treylon Burks. Poles may find himself in a bit of a fingers-crossed exercise, hoping the board breaks in a way that gives the Bears an opportunity to land one of the receivers they most covet. Many draft experts expect at least a half-dozen receivers to be taken on the first night. But with an impressively deep class, Poles should still have an intriguing menu to peruse Friday. With that in mind, the Tribune takes a look at 12 receivers who could be on the team’s radar. Height, weight: 6-1,188 Why the Bears will draft him: Are the Bears looking for a dependability piece for Fields? Do they want their young quarterback to have a receiver he inherently trusts and can build chemistry with? Through that lens, the dream scenario would be for Olave to somehow slip to Day 2 — or at least remain on the board late enough in the first round that Poles could consider an aggressive trade up. As teammates at Ohio State in 2020, Fields and Olave had impressive harmony. Olave was Fields’ leading receiver with 50 catches,729 yards and seven touchdowns over seven games in that COVID-shortened campaign. He followed up this past season with 65 grabs,936 yards and 13 touchdowns. This is a pie-in-the-sky situation for the Bears. But Olave is a Day 1-starter. He’s a fluid route runner with impressive speed and ball skills and proven big-play production. A raucous Halas Hall celebration would be on tap if Poles were somehow able to land him. Why they won’t: The idea of Olave being available to the Bears at No.39 is extremely far-fetched. The possibility of him slipping out of the top 20 Thursday night is a longshot. Some talent evaluators question whether Olave has a sturdy enough build and enough strength to excel against some of the NFL’s more physical corners. But that likely wouldn’t be a deterrent for the Bears. Analyst’s take: “I love the route running. He’s so smooth as a route runner. He knows where he needs to be versus zone coverage. And when you study his game, he has speed as well.… He’s a vertical threat. That’s what he does. Track star. He ran a 4.39(-second 40-yard dash) at the combine. And it’s not just track speed. He’s great at tracking the ball vertically.” — ESPN senior draft analyst Todd McShay Height, weight: 5-11,178 Why the Bears should draft him: Dotson was Penn State’s leading receiver in 2021, totaling 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns on the way to being named an AP third-team All-American. After four seasons with the Nittany Lions, he tied for second in school history with 183 catches and 25 receiving touchdowns. McShay called him “a burner” and raved about his ball skills, body control and speed. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said he has the best hands in the draft. Dotson also returned 19 punts for 338 yards and a touchdown — and his career average of 17.8 yards per return is a Penn State record. Why they’d stay away: There’s a possibility Dotson might be off the board before the Bears pick. The Athletic and ESPN each ranked him the sixth-best receiver in the class, with the possibility of him going in the first round. Dotson’s size and strength are the biggest question marks for draft analysts. Multiple analysts noted he doesn’t break a lot of tackles. Analyst’s take: “He really attacks the football. He’s got outstanding ability to adjust. He can catch it back hip, above the rim. You name it, he can do it.” — NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah Height, weight: 6-3,195 Why the Bears should draft him: Jeremiah called Pickens “really, really gifted” and “a fun one.” McShay said he thought Pickens might make it into the first round before the ACL tear that limited his 2021 season. Pickens made a big impact as a freshman when he led the Bulldogs with 49 catches for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. He had 36 catches for 513 yards and six touchdowns in eight games in 2020. Analysts call him a vertical threat with quickness, speed, strong ball-tracking skills and an ability to make in-air adjustments. Why they’d stay away: The ACL injury that Pickens suffered during 2021 spring practices is the major question mark. He made a quick recovery and returned to play in four games, making five catches for 107 yards, including a 52-yarder in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama. He also did on-field work at the combine, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. But it’s a matter of a team being comfortable with his medical evaluations and the missed development of most of his junior season.
