Chicago Bears 2017 mock draft: Full seven rounds

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC (6-foot-2, 220 pounds)

You may think this is another one of those “what ifs” I wrote about. You’re probably thinking “what if the Bears decide to let Alshon Jeffery go through free agency” right? You’d be wrong, however. Whether or not the Bears keep Jeffery, they need depth at wide receiver. With the injuries and suspensions, the coaching staff got a good look at what they had. Boy, that look was not good.

Boy, that look was not good.

There were too many dropped passes and too many bad routes run. In short, there is a big need at this position.

Smith-Schuster would be a perfect fit for the Bears. He is a big receiver with great hands. Midway through the 2015 season, he broke his precious hand. In spite of that, he made 89 catches for 1,454 yards (16.34 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns. Oh, and by the way, HE DID NOT MISS ANY GAME despite having surgery and eight screws and a plate inserted in that hand. He played five days after surgery and caught 8 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Smith-Schuster is a Brandon Marshall type of player without the baggage. He doesn’t possess great speed, but he can make any catch. He has a broad body and incredible strength, so he can shield himself from a defender and outmuscle him for the ball.

This is the kind of receiver whoever the quarterback is for the Bears needs. After the dropped passes in 2016, having a receiver with elite hands is a godsend. In addition, having one who can be physical is icing on the cake.