Chicago Bears: 5 options to replace Cameron Meredith
Draft Prospect DJ Chark, LSU
There is an incredible amount of depth at the wide receiver position in the 2018 NFL Draft. Perhaps that’s why DJ Chark is not getting the attention he should. The wide receiver out of LSU has elite athletic ability and could be just what the Chicago Bears need.
He is almost the exact same size as Cameron Meredith. Chark is 6-foot-3, 199 pounds while Meredith is 6-foot-3, 207 pounds. However, Chark is much faster, having posted a 4.34 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine.
DJ Chark is special, and the No. 1 WR in the draft, says @CSimmsQB pic.twitter.com/m7NOAbOoxE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 5, 2018
Chark also has the ability to create separation, which is key in Nagy’s style of offense. In fact, Lance Zierlein’s scouting report calls this out as one of his strengths. According to Zierlein his build-up speed and long strides create winning separation on West Coast routes.
The Bears could certainly use another great route-runner to compliment Allen Robinson. Taylor Gabriel is more of a speedster, and we all know Kevin White and Josh Bellamy have not been known for their route-running prowess.
After an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, people began to take notice of Chark. However, he still isn’t being talked about as one of the top receivers in this draft by many. That could be because at times he can be inconsistent. However, that can be said of many college receivers.
An added benefit of drafting Chark is that you’d also be getting a punt returner. Chark returned punts in college and with his blazing speed, he could be an effective weapon on special teams. With a limited number of picks, Chark’s ability to contribute on offense and special teams would present good value.