The Chicago Bears hold seven picks in this year’s draft. They have the 10th overall pick, 39th, 41st, 72nd, 148, 233 & 240. Thanks to what they were able to accomplish thus far in the offseason, they are not in a position where they are drafting strictly for need. They can take a “best player available” approach with all their picks.

Over the next several weeks I’ll spotlight every position group, with the exception of quarterback (the Bears won’t draft one) and specialists (aka kickers, punters and long snappers).

In this piece I’ll look at wide receivers and tight ends.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Honestly, I don’t think the Bears need to take a wide receiver in this draft. With DJ Moore & Rome Odunze, their top two are locked down for years to come. Olamide Zaccheaus is a solid third receiver and the fourth option will be shared by Devin Duvernay and Tyler Scott.

Wide receiver is not a pressing need. The Bears shouldn’t be looking at any before day three. This is one of the weaker wide receiver classes in years, so it’s a good year not to particularly need one.

I’ll start with day two prospects, because you never know.

Day Two

One receiver that I’ve heard connected to the Bears has been Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel. Noel is fast and a home run threat with the ball in his hands. He might still be on the board when the Bears go on the clock in the third round.

Utah State’s Jalen Royals, Texas’ Isaiah Bond, Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor, Oregon’s Tez Johnson, Colorado State’s Tory Horton & Miami-Fl’s Xavier Restrepo are all players that will be available in the third round and could still be on the board on day three.

Day Three Prospects

Day three wide receivers need to have some special teams value. Here’s some names to watch:

• Savion Williams, TCU
• Pat Bryant, Illinois
• Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
• Ricky White, UNLV
• Kyren Lacy, LSU
• Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville

TIGHT ENDS

The Bears only have two tight ends on the roster, Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe. They’re probably coming out of this draft with one, where they take him is up for debate.

First Round

Penn State’s Tyler Warren is the best pass catcher in the draft, in my opinion, not just the best tight end. There’s a pretty good chance that he could be on the board at ten and he’ll most likely be the best player available.

I want the Bears to go left tackle or edge in the first round, but there’s a damn good argument to be made for Warren. I like Cole Kmet, but Warren is a different animal and he’d be awesome in a Ben Johnson offense.

I’m seriously torn. Positional value says tight ends shouldn’t be top ten picks, but there are exceptions. I still think the Bears should go edge or tackle in the first round, but I’m not going to complain about Warren.

Michigan’s Colestand Loveland is the other first round worthy tight end, but I don’t think he should be on the Bears radar. I think there will be better players available at more important positions no matter where the Bears end up picking in the first.

Day Two

LSU’s Mason Taylor has Hall of Fame bloodlines and serious upside. He’ll be on the board when the Bears pick in the second round, but I think they should go in a different direction. However, if he’s somehow still around in the third round, I’d be quite happy with the pick.

Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr is a highly productive tight end, but he doesn’t offer much as a blocker. He’ll probably be available in the third round, but I’m not sold on the Bears picking him.

Texas’ Gunnar Helm fits the profile of a good TE2 to Kmet’s TE1, but I don’t think the Bears should take him in the third and without a fourth round pick they probably won’t land him.

Miami-Fl’s Elijah Arroyo is another tight end that would make a good complement to Kmet. He’s had a serious knee injury in the past, which gives me pause about the Bears using their third round pick on him.

Day Three Prospects

Day Three is probably where I’d prefer the Bears to address the tight end position. Maybe Arroyo or Helm fall into range, but there’s also some intriguing prospects that are sure to be available. A few to keep an eye on:

• Jake Briningstool, Clemson
• Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
• Luke Lachey, Iowa
• Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech

Because they only have two tight ends on the roster, I think the Bears will add one during the draft. I’m not sure I want them using an early round pick on one and this is one position it hurts not having a fourth round pick.

Evans and Lachey are the names I’d watch the closest as we get into the later rounds of the draft.