With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final evaluations before the Scouting Combine

By Maxwell Ogden

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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57. . Wide Receiver. Alabama Crimson Tide. Calvin Ridley. 8. player

The Chicago Bears have a chance to solidify the future of the organization at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. The question, of course, is if the Bears will find Mitchell Trubisky help on offense or build towards elite status on defense.

I’m breaking another personal rule of mine by drafting a wide receiver in the top 10, but when one evaluates Chicago’s roster, there’s no more glaring void than this.

Kendall Wright was the Bears’ leading receiver in 2017 with 59 receptions for 614 yards. No other player on the roster accrued more than 376 receiving yards, and no one on the roster caught more than three touchdowns.

While it’s plausible that Chicago could find a solid wide receiver in the later rounds, Calvin Ridley is widely regarded as the runaway No. 1 player at his position.

Ridley may be more of a true No. 2 than a No. 1 at the next level, but he’s a phenomenal talent. He can get open on just about any route tree he’s asked to run, has the hands to make difficult catches, and has advanced footwork for his age.

Ridley’s production was limited by a run-heavy offense at Alabama, but he’s a versatile talent who can help Trubisky in every phase of the passing game.

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