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Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Combine Week edition

By William Martin

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 29: Oakland Raiders fans gather as the team selects draft picks in front of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on April 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. National Football League owners voted in March to approve the team's application to relocate to Las Vegas. The Raiders are expected to begin play no later than 2020 in a planned 65,000-seat domed stadium to be built in Las Vegas at a cost of about USD 1.9 billion. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 29: Oakland Raiders fans gather as the team selects draft picks in front of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on April 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. National Football League owners voted in March to approve the team's application to relocate to Las Vegas. The Raiders are expected to begin play no later than 2020 in a planned 65,000-seat domed stadium to be built in Las Vegas at a cost of about USD 1.9 billion. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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K.J. Hamler, Chicago Bears
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

So with the Raider’s second-round pick from the Khalil Mack deal (I still don’t understand how that worked out), the Bears add an element to their offense that they will need this upcoming season.

Last Friday, you probably noticed the team parted ways with Taylor Gabriel, the team’s only true vertical threat. While he did do a lot for the team’s offense, he did struggle with concussions and was limited to nine games last season. When he did sit out, we saw Anthony Miller break out a bit and he only carried a $2 million dead cap if released this offseason.

To some degree, the writing was on the wall. Chicago gave him a head-start to find a new home, but there is now yet another hole on offense that the team needs to assess.

That hole can be filled by Penn State’s K.J. Hamler and he is quite a treat to watch. This is one of the most electric playmakers in this year’s draft class at the wide receiver position. Credit to James Franklin for his ability to develop and produce NFL receivers over the last few years. Hamler is the next one in line and has the ability to be one of several game-breakers in this class.

A pure slot receiver threat, Hamler isn’t the biggest body on the field, but the athleticism and ability to separate from defensive backs is impressive within the short, intermediate, and deep levels of the field. One of, if not, his best traits is being able to effortlessly fly after the catch. You look at what Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman did for the Chief’s offense last year and wonder how much better the Bears would be if they had some kind of freaky-fast burner at receiver.

Even if Trubisky is starting out of the gates this year, at least give him someone who he can throw the ball in the general direction of who can get open. This receiver class is remarkably strong and it’s imperative the team comes away with one of the top-end talents.

A concern that I do have for him is that he will probably need to get a bit bigger as he is only listed at 176 pounds on Penn State’s website. If he bulks up and adds more muscle, what happens to his speed? Sure, it’ll help to beat stronger corners, but will he be able to maintain that critical element to his game or will it hurt him?

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