One WR The Chicago Bears Might Be Hoping Falls In The Draft

One must always maintain a level of realistic expectations regarding the NFL draft. Sure, there are players you'd love to see on the team but know they won't be available when they pick. The Chicago Bears are no different. Without the benefit of a 1st round pick, there are plenty of talented players they're going to miss out on. Still, that doesn't seem to have stopped them from secretly prepping for the possibility that one might fall. It appears a name they have an eye on is Treylon Burks. During his final two seasons for the Razorbacks, the Arkansas wide receiver was tremendous, notching 1,924 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also added 187 yards rushing and another touchdown. At 6'3, 225 lbs, he certainly looks the part of an NFL receiver. His game tape was littered with big plays showcasing his size, strong hands, and after-the-catch running ability. He seemed like a 1st round lock entering the pre-draft process in January.

That appears to have changed.

Burk's buzz seems to have slowed somewhat in recent weeks. According to Pro Football Network draft insider Tony Pauline, there is a serious possibility the receiver could fall out of the 1st round. When detailing why two factors were mentioned, one is his overall lack of polish as a route runner, and the other is the poor showing he had at the scouting combine. After flashing speed on tape for years, he managed a modest 4.55 in the 40-yard dash.

"Burks, who people were talking about as a top-15 pick, might eventually fall out of the first round... ...When you watch his game, he’s very rough around the edges. Poor route runner, very undisciplined with his routes. Not very fast. Goes to the Combine and can’t break a 4.5, and doesn’t look sharp running routes. He’s a very unpolished receiver. And the fact is, we’ve seen it time and time again. These bigger-bodied receivers who went up for the contested throws every Saturday tend to fall in the draft."

This wouldn't be the first time a 40-yard dash time cooled the stock of a receiver prospect. Davante Adams ran a 4.56 in 2014. Keenan Allen ran a 4.58 in 2013. Juju Smith-Schuster ran a 4.54 in 2017. All went in the 2nd round. It eventually became clear their speed had been underestimated. They were what scouts call "field fast." They may not time well, but get the ball in their hands, and they can fly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK6UfTLFrCI&ab_channel=JustBombsProductions

Burks offers the Chicago Bears a dimension they don't have.

While GM Ryan Poles said he covets speed, the team doesn't have anybody with that size. Byron Pringle is the tallest target they have at 6'1. Burks is considerably bigger, and he can still run. This isn't an Allen Robinson situation where he'd have to rely on precise route running to get open. He has made defenses pay for giving him space often. That is without the benefit of running the sharpest routes. Imagine how much more dangerous he could become if that area gets fixed. The Chicago Bears employ one of the better receiving coaches in the league in Tyke Tolbert. He'd no doubt relish the challenge of coaching a talent like Burks. Still, the odds don't favor that happening. There are several receiver-needy teams in the 1st round.

More often than not, one of them will be willing to take the risk on him.

If he does fall, it appears the Bears are ready to snag him. He'd be an exciting addition to the receiving corps. His after-the-catch ability alone would be something this team hasn't had enough of in recent years. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy would be able to use him in a variety of different ways.