Chicago Bears 2021 Draft: Must-target small school prospects
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears Small School Draft Targets: WR Austin Watkins, UAB
The wide receiving corps is going to be a fascinating area to watch over the next month for the Bears. The team may end up simply cutting Anthony Miller, opening up a big hole to fill. Allen Robinson signed his franchise tender, thankfully, and looks as though he’ll suit up in Chicago this year — barring an unforeseen trade.
If the Bears wanted to add a mid-round talent at the position who could ultimately pan out as a huge value pick, they could go after UAB’s Austin Watkins.
This 6-foot-2 target is a guy who worked his way up through junior college and finally broke out at UAB over the past couple of seasons. His best year came in 2019 when he played in 14 games, catching 57 passes for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns — that’s an average of 19.2 yards per reception, for those counting at home.
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Watkins is a special blend of size and speed at the position. He has tremendous hands and wins more 50-50 balls than he loses. He plays a lot like Allen Robinson in those scenarios. He prides himself on winning those battles.
The potential of adding a guy his size, who is also a vertical threat, could truly round out the receiving core. The best part is, Watkins wouldn’t cost a high pick. Maybe the Bears would have to package a couple of their sixth rounders to move up and snag him in the fourth or fifth, but he’s going to be found in those middle rounds, for sure.