3 Non-First Round Receivers the Bears Could Add in the Draft

3. Brenden Rice

Rice is the receiver on this list that has the most familiarity with Williams. The two-year Trojan put up career-high numbers in his final collegiate season. After spending his Freshman and Sophomore seasons with Colorado, Rice was plucked by Lincoln Riley to be a part of a dangerous USC receiver room before the 2022 campaign. 

The son of All-Time great receiver Jerry Rice is similar to the other two wideouts on this list in terms of his size. Rice is listed at 6’3, weighing just over 200 pounds entering the draft.

Some of the positives behind the four-year collegiate talent come from his physical traits. Rice is known for being strong at the peak of his routes and is an above-average run-blocker, which sets him apart from some of his second and third-day peers in this class. His strength also makes him an excellent YAC target in a receiving corps. 

Rice finished the 2023 season with 12 touchdowns thanks to hauling in 45 passes from Williams for a total of 791 receiving yards. He scored eight more times in his final season at USC than he did as a Junior. Rice added 611 yards and 39 catches to his four scores a season ago. 

The Chandler, AZ product is a weapon that could develop nicely with the veterans in front of him in Chicago. Plus, his chemistry with Williams will only grow more as time goes on. Rice could land anywhere from the middle of the second round to early in the third and final day of the draft, which could benefit the Bears well in their draft process this weekend.

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