The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone better for the Chicago Bears, who heading into Day 2 armed with a pair of second-rounders has plenty of first-round talent still on the board.
There were six receivers taken in the first round, which makes sense given the depth of the class. Heading into Round 2, there are still some great receiver prospects on the board, including some that could be explosive weapons for whichever quarterback lines up under center for Chicago in 2020.
Here are five wide receivers that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that the Bears should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.
1. Tee Higgins, Clemson
Tee Higgins is arguably the best receiver prospect still left on the board, and some had him pegged as a potential late first-round selection. While his lackluster performance and injury history are part of the reason why he slid, his upside isn’t to be ignored. Higgins is a big target that could be utilized in the red zone, which is certainly an area the Bears need to correct heading into next season.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Higgins has a “long, angular frame with cheat-code body control and ball skills when attacking downfield. Higgins is leggy getting off of the press, but those same leggy strides are weapons of separation that help create big plays. He’s played all three receiver spots and can be moved around to match up against cornerbacks. His size and “above the rim” talent make him a uniquely dangerous playmaker deep and in the red zone. The transition to NFL press corners will be an early challenge that could take some time to solve, but he’s an instinctive ball-winner whose traits should win out and make him a very good NFL starter.”
2. Denzel Mims, Baylor
It’s hard not to get excited to see Denzel Mims still on the board heading into the second round. Mims, another first-round talent that fell to Day 2, has a great combination of size and speed that make him an intriguing prospect for a team like the Bears in search of a speedy receiver opposite Allen Robinson. If Mims is still sitting there at 43 or 50, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chicago pull the trigger.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, “Mims is a long-striding outside target with excellent height, weight and speed and an insane catch-radius. He’s a touchdown threat anytime he’s near the red zone, with the focus and body control to finesse and finish catches above the rim. He struggles to release and separate from physical press corners, and he doesn’t consistently compete and outwork opponents for positioning on contested catches. If the route work and intensity catch up with his natural athletic ability, he could become a dangerous “Z” receiver in a vertical offense, but the floor might be lower than some teams are comfortable with.”
3. KJ Hamler, Penn State
When looking for a speedy threat opposite your No. 1 receiver, it certainly helps when you have him approval. Penn State’s KJ Hamler might be undersized, but he’s a threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands. Robinson described Hamler as “electric,” even going so far to compare him to Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill. If that’s the case, Hamler is exactly the kind of playmaker Matt Nagy could use in this offense.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Hamler is an “explosive slot target who hits the scales as a lightweight but could have heavyweight impact on games. Hamler’s blazing speed is used solo and in route combinations to stress secondaries and create big plays. He had an alarming number of drops in 2019 and the routes are ragged, but his athleticism and separation burst on all three levels helps mitigate those concerns. He’s a smallish slot who isn’t built for the tough yardage and could have durability concerns if he’s run into too many collisions. However, speed kills and his game-breaking potential on all three levels will be enticing as a high-risk, high-reward draft pick.”
4. Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
Chase Claypool is another prospect that should intrigue the Bears heading into Day 2. There’s no denying that Claypool’s size and explosiveness is a tantalizing part of his game, and it should certainly present matchup problems at the pro level. Claypool could be just the explosive weapon the Bears are looking to pair with Allen Robinson.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, “the comparison to former teammate Miles Boykin is an easy one since both have elite size and explosiveness, but Claypool has a higher ceiling and is a little more pro-ready. Claypool doesn’t have shake to get much separation underneath, but he’s physical inside the route and is adept at making contested catches when needed. He has size/strength/speed to bedevil singled up cornerbacks on 50/50 deep balls. He’s a vertical challenger outside, a possession receiver as a big slot, an outstanding run blocker and immediate coverage ace on special teams. His elite traits and diverse skill set could allow him to create a unique footprint as a pro.”
5. Michael Pittman Jr., USC
Given the slew of receivers drafted in the first round, Michael Pittman Jr. is another prospect that slipped to Day 2. While Pittman isn’t the fastest guy on the field, he’s a big-bodied receiver that can physically challenge cornerbacks. Surely, the second round will see more receivers come off the board, so the Bears should definitely take their shot if someone like Pittman is there at 43 or 50.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, is a “big, smart and reliable, Pittman falls into the “possession receiver” bin, but has top-notch ball skills that allow him to bully and best cornerbacks down the field. Improving release quickness against press will be an early focal point in an NFL camp, but his frame and physicality should create work space underneath even with close coverage. He lacks the speed and separation quickness teams covet from WR1 candidates, but he comes from NFL bloodlines and plays with a pro demeanor. He should be a productive plug-and-play talent at WR2 early in his career.”
