On March 14, Bears GM Ryan Poles finalized a deal that shattered the football world; the Bears would be acquiring superstar wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Chargers for a 4th-round pick. It was a major addition to the Bears’ growing arsenal amidst a heated arms race with the NFC North. It should have solidified that the Bears wouldn’t select a wide receiver with their upcoming first or ninth-overall pick, but it didn’t
While the first pick is all but confirmed for USC QB prospect Caleb Williams, many Bears fans and mock draft analysts still flirt with the idea of adding a top wide receiver prospect at the ninth pick with Washington’s Rome Odunze or LSU’s Malik Nabers. Some even suggest the idea of trading up to draft Ohio State’s phenom Marvin Harrison Jr. It’s not hard to see why. The ambitious additions of superstars like DJ Moore, DeAndre Swift, and Keenan Allen, as well the imminent selection of a potentially generational QB in Caleb Williams, is like crack for a fanbase that has long watched teams devoid of offensive talent; Bears fans want another hit.
Reports of meetings with all three receivers have given oxygen to this speculation. Whether the Bears truly intend to pick one of the three, or if it is just regular pre-draft due diligence remains unclear. We all would like to keep supercharging the Bears’ offense star power. It’s tempting- but it isn’t productive. The Bears still suffer too many shortcomings outside of superstar skill positions to indulge in top receiving prospects, even if a younger wide receiver may be necessary sometime down the line.
Instead, the Bears could appease Head Coach and defensive play caller Matt Eberflus by adding firepower to their Montez Sweat-led pass rush with the selection of Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner, Florida State’s Jared Verse, or UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. With one of the strongest OT draft classes in years, the Bears could work to build an ironclad offensive line for Caleb Williams with the selection of Notre Dame OT Joe Alt, Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga, or Washington’s Troy Fashanu. The Bears could patch holes on all fronts by trading down and adding to their mere four picks in the entire draft, the least in the league.
Each of these three draft day decisions would make the Bears a more complete team. Drafting a wide receiver wouldn’t. A receiver room of D.J Moore and Keenan Allen alongside Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, or even Marvin Harrison Jr is eye candy, but it isn’t the right choice. The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25.
