Chicago Bears draft prospects: Wide receivers

Tyler Boyd (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) — Pittsburgh

Boyd has a good explosive first step and reaches top speed really quickly. He is able to make sharp cuts to create separation, and is able to change speeds in his route-running.

Boyd has great body control, which allows him to use fakes and to be able to twist mid-air.

Boyd was able to set Pitt records in catches (254) and receiving yards (3,361) in just three seasons, and despite erratic quarterback play.

Boyd was a huge part of the Pitt offense. He lined up at both corner and slot receiver, running back, special teams returner and even quarterback.

Boyd did not receive much help from his quarterbacks in Pitt. He played with three different signal callers in his three seasons, yet reached 1,000 yards in two of them, and in 2015 he had a career-high 91 receptions.

Boyd’s versatility could help the Chicago Bears greatly. They use Jeffery at times running out of the backfield, so they can do the same with Boyd. The Bears’ special teams was anything but special in 2015, so he can add some excitement there that we have not seen since Devin Hester left.

Like many receivers entering the pros, Boyd will need to bulk up a little at the higher level. He goes to the middle and does it well, but the bodies in the NFL are bigger and the hits will be as well.

I see Boyd as a very good slot receiver. He was not asked to go deep much at Pitt (mostly because of the quarterback situation), but if he could show that he can do that, his draft stock will skyrocket. He is projected to go in the third round, but the NFL Combine can vault him into the second or possibly the late first round.

Next: He Is The Best Deep Threat Receiver In The Draft