Chicago Bears 2022 Draft: Top Wide Receiver Targets

The Chicago Bears have a big need at wide receiver. Here are potential targets they could pick up through the draft.

The Chicago Bears, like every other team in the NFL, are looking to improve their roster. After too many years of poor play, they reset again and hired a new general manager (Ryan Poles) and head coach (Matt Eberflus). The hope is that this time they got it right and the new regime will build a consistent contender.

Last year, the Bears felt they finally found their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields. They, and their fans, have high hopes for the young player. In his rookie season, however, things didn’t work out too well. While he showed a lot of promis at stretches, he didn’t have the weapons or the protection around him to help him succeed. Additionally, he didn’t have a head coach who really wanted him to be the starter.

Things are different this time. The Bears made Fields a priority. This offseason, they plan to di whatever it takes to help Fields develop and succeed. They hired Luke Getsy, who worked with Aaron Rodgers, as the new offensive coordinator. Now, when free agency and the draft come around, Poles wants to add offensive linemen and wide receivers for Fields.

The wide receiver position is in dire need of players. The only receiver of note still under contract when the new league year begins is Darnell Mooney. They could also re-sign or use the franchise tag on Allen Robinson, but the relationship between the two parties seems too fractured for him to come back.

That means that Poles needs to make some big decisions on the wide receivers unit. He likely has to go through free agency and the draft to find players. There are some good receivers he could pick up through free agency but he needs to be careful since that route results in spending more money. He could find good prospects and keep them under team control for a few seasons at a bargain rookie contract.

Here are five wide receiver targets Poles and the Chicago Bears could pick up through the draft:

Romeo Doubs

    College:  Nevada
     Height:  6-foot-2
    Weight:  201 pounds
      Hands: 10 in
Wingspan: 77 5/8 in

The Chicago Bears will certainly need multiple receivers. Despite only having five picks in this year’s draft, Poles might opt to draft two receivers. Romeo Doubs out of Nevada could be a big pickup later in the draft.

Doubs has the height, weight, and speed you want from a wide receiver. In addition to the regular speed, he has an extra gear so he can blow past the defender.

Doubs is a big-play player. For his career, he averaged about 15 yards per catch. On go routes, he can outrun any defender, but he is also dangerous on short routes. He can take a slant and take it deep, running away from would-be tacklers. With his height, he could be a big red-zone target, out jumping defenders.

Doubs will have to increase his strength and route-running, though. He had trouble getting out of press coverage. Also, he needs to improve his route running so he doesn’t have to depend on his speed all the time. If he runs good routes, he’ll be able to create better separation, then utilize his great speed.

George Pickens

    College:  Georgia
     Height:  6-foot-5
    Weight:  200 pounds

Poles said that the Chicago Bears would stay away from players with an injury history. While that might be true, there are some players who are just too good to pass up if they are available.

That may be the case with George Pickens. He was on his way to being one of the top wide receivers taken in the draft before he tore his ACL in spring. It was amazing that by the end of the season he was back and helping the Georgia Bulldogs win a National Championship.

Pickens further showed how healthy he is now by displaying his speed at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.47-40. That wasn’t the fastest mark, but with his body, that was a very good run.

Pickens was instrumental in Georgia’s championship win, making a leaping 52-yard grab.

Pickens has a great burst off the snap that helps him get away from press coverage. He does a good job of keeping his focus to make the tough catches in a crowd. He has vice grips for hands, snatching and holding onto any pass.

Once Pickens starts a professional team’s conditioning program he’ll build his strength. When that happens, he’ll be difficult to stop.

There are a number of first-round talent available and teams might still shy away from Pickens. If that happens, some team will be the recipient of one of the biggest draft steals. Why shouldn’t it be the Bears?

Treylon Burks

    College:  Nevada
     Height:  6-foot-2
    Weight:  225 pounds
      Hands: 10.75 in

Treylon Burks gives the Bears a big receiver who is a mismatch against defenders. He has the size, strength, and competitiveness to succeed. Many scouts compare him to A.J. Brown but a faster, more athletic version.

The Bears could line Burks up anywhere on the field. He could play on the outside, slot, or even in the backfield. His incredible strength helps him outmuscle just about anyone for the ball. That strength also makes him difficult to bring down.

Burks also uses his strength with his blocking. He is a willing and good blocker and can obliterate defensive backs allowing more room for the ball carrier.

Burks uses long strides to get past defenders. He clocked a 4.55-40. Those two combinations help him become a deep threat as well.

It’ll be good to have a player like Burks. The Bears could use him anywhere and his strength will help make him a fan favorite.

David Bell

    College:  Nevada
     Height:  6-foot-1
    Weight:  212 pounds
      Hands: 9.25 in

I already wrote about David Bell being a good prospect for the Bears. He draws comparisons to Allen Robinson. Since it looks like Robinson is all but gone, why not draft a younger version?

Bell doesn’t have great speed but that isn’t a problem. He is an excellent route runner and has a high football IQ. He can make smooth transitions and cuts that create separation.

Bell also has very good hands. He does a great job of snatching the ball at its highest point. Also, he can jump for the catch and outmuscle defenders.

Bell is also fearless. He can run into the teeth of the defense and make the catch in traffic. He does a terrific job of holding onto the ball and absorbing a big hit.

Though he doesn’t run fast, Bell is difficult to bring down. He has elite balance and always churns his feet. This is similar to how running back David Montgomery plays.

Bell would be a great pickup for the Bears. he’ll be the guy who keeps the chains moving. If the Bears are able to get speedy receivers, they’ll open up space for Bell underneath and he’ll flourish.