As the 2019 NFL Draft draws closer, stay up to date with Last Word on Pro Football. Matt Harris and I have been looking into draft options for the Chicago Bears. We have already covered running backs, corners, and the offensive line. The next in the series is a look at wide receivers. An obligatory reminder: the Bears do not currently have a pick before the third round; 87th overall to be specific. Luckily, there is both talent to be had and the position is not in dire straits for Chicago.
Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller provide Mitchell Trubisky with soft hands and sound route running ability. They are not anyone’s definition of a burner, however. Taylor Gabriel filled the role of deep-threat last season, notching career-highs in targets, receptions, and yards. He also caught 72 percent of his targets and rushed nine times for 61 yards in 11 starts (all career-highs). Still, he does not fit the profile of a perimeter receiver; one that can consistently take pressure off of Robinson on the other side.
Chicago Bears Draft Targets: Wide Receiver
Emanuel Hall – Missouri Tigers
Emanuel Hall, a senior, leaves Missouri having averaged 20.8 yards per catch. He also scored 16 touchdowns on 97 catches for 2016 yards. A tall (6’3″), long-strider who has improved his catch rate, Hall led the SEC with eight scores in 2017. He followed that up by being named second-team All-SEC in 2018. That was despite him only playing in nine games with seven starts due to a groin injury that lingered. He does need to develop as a route runner and had too many drops. He also happens to have 4.39 speed with a 43-inch vertical.
Have a day @emanuelhall 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZHY0LR8hMs
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) March 2, 2019
The question for the Bears on Hall has to be is he only a deep threat? Or was his limited route tree in college a function of the system? His advanced age could actually help him in Chicago’s evaluation since he is more mature and more physically ready to step in right away. He showed steady growth throughout his career at Missouri and has elite athleticism. His speed and size are well suited to fill the lid-lifter role opposite Robinson. If he is around when the Bears make their pick, it would not be surprising to hear his name called.
Terry McLaurin – Ohio State Buckeyes
Terry McLaurin is a former Indiana Mr. Football out of Indianapolis. He played in at least 12 games in three of four seasons for the Buckeyes. The redshirt senior caught 35 balls for 701 yards (20 yards per catch) and racked up 11 touchdowns. The scores were nearly double from his six in 2017. His college career ended with totals of 75 catches, 1,251 yards, and 19 scores. He also played special teams showing some versatility that is valuable in the middle rounds. He does need to work on being more of a hands catcher than letting passes get into his body.
Ohio State's Terry McLaurin had some insane reps at the Senior Bowl – just instant huge separation.
In the NFL you'd expect this to be an instant conversion to a go with that kind of win at the line, but he still manages to come up with the catch when he breaks back into the CB pic.twitter.com/yJDPPncciS
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 21, 2019
McLaurin is 6’0″ with 4.35-speed. He is not a pure burner as he needs to build up to top gear. But he does have a second-level of fast and is advanced in his route running and plays physical. His career in college is really underwhelming and belittles the ability scouts think he possesses. He is another older prospect, but again, that may actually work in his favor. He is more fast than quick, so he would likely stay out of the slot. But that should be just fine with the Bears if he is indeed able to consistently take a defender out of the box.
Darius Slayton – Auburn Tigers
There was a specific role for Darius Slayton at Auburn. He was used almost exclusively as a deep threat and had almost no usage in the short or intermediate areas. He is another prospect scouts believe was held back by his college system and team. Slayton’s 2017 and 2018 seasons were nearly identical. He caught 29 balls for 643 yards with five trips across the goal line in ’17. That was followed by a 2018 season that saw him haul in 35 catches for 670 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 11 games both seasons. He will need to improve his consistency catching the football and with physical corners, particularly at the top of his routes.
Darius Slayton's face mask was grabbed while the ball was in the air…and he still made the catch. pic.twitter.com/4pubM6AdkE
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 15, 2018
Another player with sub-4.4 speed, Slayton is intriguing as a mid to late-round burner. What truly makes him a player of interest is the belief that he was pigeonholed in Auburn’s system. His numbers from the Combine suggest he could develop into much more. He shows the wiggle to create the YAC that today’s NFL offenses thrive on. Adding Slayton to the group already in place may be the most versatile combination of this list. Added to his projected draft position and the Bears could get decent size and speed for great value.
All Hands on Deck
The wide receiver position may not be the first that comes to mind. Especially with the limited draft capital that the Bears have this year. Still, the prospects listed do possess a particular skill set. And if the Bears pass catching core does have a deficiency, that is the lack of a true perimeter deep threat.
That is not to slight the job that Gabriel has done. But it is to say that an upgrade (especially in size) at that spot would do wonders for this offense. And Gabriel as the fourth receiver is dangerous as there aren’t likely many dime backs that are sticking with him in coverage. If forced to make the choice right now, Slayton makes the most sense. He has all the traits to take the top off the defense and shows the potential to develop into another quality weapon in the Bears offense.
