We knew that the Chicago Bears were looking to draft a wide receiver to replace Brandon Marshall. We just didn't think it would be with the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft.
Chicago has a litany of needs on the defensive side of the ball and this year's draft class offers a bevy of impressive pass rushers and defensive linemen to choose from. However, the Bears may instead opt for a shiny new target for their $126 million quarterback Jay Cutler. Specifically, West Virginia's Kevin White.
"White makes sense here as the best player available, but also from a need standpoint because he's an upgrade over Marquess Wilson opposite Alshon Jeffery," ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay wrote in his Mock Draft 4.0. "White is No. 4 on our board, ranking behind [Amari] Cooper only because he isn't quite as polished or consistent. The fact that he only had one really good season at West Virginia will concern some. But he's a big-play threat with his size and speed, and he possesses the ability to separate when the ball is in the air and come down with high-degree-of-difficulty contested catches. He's also very competitive with the ball in his hands."
White hauled in 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he'd be the type of big target Marshall was during his time in Chicago. Although Marshall struggled last season, he and the rest of Chicago's skill position players (Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett) made up a pretty impressive offensive roster. Despite the collection of talent, Chicago's offense still badly underachieved last season, finishing 21st in yards per game (317.2) and 23rd in scoring offense (19.9).
What do you think, Bears fans? Should the team go with the big-play receiver in White or should they address other needs on the roster? Let us know in the comments section below.
