NFL
By: Kristy Love
The Chicago Bears are projected to draft QB Caleb Williams from USC with the number one pick. However, it’s still uncertain what direction the Bears will go with the ninth pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has been going to Pro Bowls, inviting players to the Bears facility alongside Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. Here are a couple of wide receivers the Bears can grab at the ninth pick.
During the offseason, the Chicago Bears traded for WR Keenan Allen for a 2024 fourth-round pick. The Bears also have WR DJ Moore who came from the Carolina Panthers for the first-round pick in the previous season. Both receivers got over 1000 yards last season. Both receivers are big and can get up and grab the ball. So, with the 9th pick, there are some nice options the Bears can choose from. One option is Malik Nabors from LSU. It’s projected that Nabers will go sixth to the New York Giants, but if he is available at the 9th pick, the Bears should grab him.
Malik Nabers is extremely athletic as he is 6’2 201 pretty much around the same size as DJ Moore. Nabers also has a vertical current at 42 inches. That means he can potentially grab those high passes. At LSU Pro Day, which GM Ryan Poles and Bears head coach attended, Malik Nabers ran a 4.35. His speed is top notch which is why is considered an explosive route runner.
Malik Nabers has been heavily compared to Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase. Chase also attended for two years before being drafted 5th in the 2021 NFL draft. The comparison lies between how they’re built, how big of a prospect each one is during their draft year, stats, and pro day numbers. If you check them out, their stats are much more similar than you think.
During Nabers final year at LSU, he finished with 89 receptions for 1,546 yards, 14 receiving touchdowns and he averaged around 17 yards per catch. Getting over 10 yards per catch is amazing when you need 10 for a first down. Well, Nabers is known as a first-down machine. The Bears struggled with getting first downs this past season. He is known to get opportunities to bring the ball down and make plays. He has speed, so he can also make plays using his legs. He is big which allows him to create space between himself and his opponent. Overall Nabers is a great addition to the Bears team that can bring instant positivity on offense.
Another wide receiver the Bears have looked at is Rome Odunze from The Washington Huskies. Odunze resume speaks for itself as he led the nation in receiving yards in 2023. He averaged 18 yards per catch and scored 14 total touchdowns. He also played in every single game this past season including the National Championship game. During the NFL combine, Odunze 40-yard dash was 4.45 seconds. He has the speed just like Nabers to play in the NFL as well as size and strength as he is sitting at 6’3 216. He has the timing, strength, size, and speed. He can pace himself, and he can do mid-air adjustments. If the Bears can grab him, he will play on the outside while Keenan Allen will run the slot.
Lastly, the Bears are projected to draft wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr from Ohio State. He is another receiver who is big super athletic and has speed. He is great at running any route, he has amazing hands and will catch just about any pass coming his way. Throughout two seasons, Harrison caught 144 passes for 2,474 yards and had 28 touchdowns. In 2023, MHJ was recognized as the best wide receiver in the nation as he won the Biletnikoff Award. I would say MHJ is the top receiver in this draft class however, Malik Nabers is runner-up behind him. Either of the three will more than likely get drafted top 10 come April 25th.
The draft class for wide receivers is deep this year. Those are a few options the Bears can get depending on which team is between the Giants and the Chargers and more. The top five draft picks are more than likely going to be quarterbacks, six through 10 could be all wide receivers. Out of the three receivers listed, the Bears can do no wrong with drafting any one of these explosive players. It’s not officially confirmed they’re going 100% wide receiver, but it’s some pretty good options to choose from.
