Chicago Bears: 8 can’t-miss 2021 prospects to start tanking for
By Ryan Heckman
3. WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Come draft time, it is always difficult to ignore the top-tier wide receivers. While LSU’s Jamal Chase and Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle figure to be top-10 guys, it’s Waddle’s teammate who may be the next man off the board.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
If DeVonta Smith is there for the Bears when they’re picking in the first round, it will be very difficult to pass him up, depending upon who else is available.
Chicago does not currently have a need for wide receiver, but after the conclusion of the 2020 season, it could become a reality. Allen Robinson wants an extension, but Ryan Pace failed to give him one before the start of his final year in Chicago. Still, there is a possibility he gets it done.
But, if I’m Robinson right now, I don’t want to stick around in Chicago. Robinson has dealt with poor quarterback play his entire career, and he’ll likely head to another team if he hits free agency.
As for Smith, the Bears would get a legitimate number one receiver to pair with Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller.
This has been a year where we’ve seen plenty of drops from Bears wideouts, some which have led to interceptions. Smith is as sure-handed as they come. He’s also very good at creating separation, therefore he’s open more often than not.
Smith can go up and make the contested catches with the best of them. He relishes those big moments to make the difficult grabs. At 6-foot-1, Smith has good enough size to offer the Bears a threat in the middle of the field, too. He uses that frame to ensure he gets in front of the football and can make grabs in traffic.
Chicago could replace Robinson here, should they be in position to draft Smith.