Chicago Bears Draft: 7 Day Two options at wide receiver

Josh Downs, North Carolina

Downs has been nothing but productive in his last two seasons at North Carolina. In 2021, he put up 1,335 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. He followed that up with 1,029 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022. He provides great speed and agility, and also does a phenomenal at getting open. He does a great job making contested catches. Downs also provides value on special teams, as he returned punts at North Carolina. He’s got the potential to be a great slot receiver in the NFL.

In weeks 5 through 8 in the 2022 season, Downs had 100-plus yards in all four of them. His best game in that stretch was versus Wake Forest putting up 154 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. The game before that he put up a career high in receiving yards against Virginia with 166.

Downs ran a 4.48 40-yard dash with a 1.49 10-yard split at the combine. He also showcased his smooth route running and good hands.

Downs would fit right in with the Bears’ receiver room. Chase Claypool is a true outside receiver. As for Darnell Mooney, him and Downs would be able to rotate from outside and slot receiver. His pre-combine draft projection is an early to middle second round pick. He could very well be gone by the time the Bears are on the clock at 56th overall. Similar to Rashee Rice, if they end up trading back from number one overall, Downs is more of a possibility.