The Bears Steal Malik Nabers? College Insider Sees It Happening

Malik Nabers was already considered a future star coming out of the 2023 college season. Since getting a chance to dig into his tape, there is a growing consensus among many that he could actually be the best wide receiver in the entire draft. Hearing stuff like this makes seem impossible he ends up with the Chicago Bears. Not unless they’re prepared to move up from #9 to get him. College football insider Bruce Feldman of The Athletic doesn’t think that will be necessary. He thinks it’s possible Nabers falls to them anyway.

The explanation in situations like this is rarely good, but Feldman’s intel appears to be spot on. He starts by stating what most already expect. Four quarterbacks will go in the first four picks, with Minnesota trading up to #4 for the last one. The first receiver goes at #5 to L.A. as the Chargers hope to restock Justin Herbert’s weapons with Marvin Harrison Jr. One would think Nabers goes next to the Giants at #6. However, Feldman believes they would opt for Rome Odunze instead because they already have a burner-type receiver in Jalin Hyatt. Odunze, with his bigger size, would be a far better compliment to him.

Tennessee goes with an offensive tackle at #7, as most expect, while Atlanta opts for a much-needed edge rusher. Just like that, the Bears land the most explosive receiver in the draft.

Having spent much of the past six weeks speaking to dozens of college football coaches and NFL sources, I put together my fourth annual first-round mock draft based on all that intel, as well as team needs…

…The Coaching Intel

“He can separate like nobody else. He has super speed and explosiveness. He’s got this big lower half and is so scary in the open field. He is elite with the ball in his hands.”

“He’s a f—— dawg, man.”

“Explosive, but a really good route runner. His ability to sink his hips and separate at the top of routes is elite.”

Landing Malik Nabers would be bananas for the Bears.

Many have compared him to D.J. Moore, only faster. Considering how lethal one Moore is in this Bears offense, it is frightening to imagine what the two of them would do on the field together. That is before you remember Keenan Allen is also in the mix. Such a trio would instantly become the most talented the Bears have ever fielded. Handing them over to a #1 overall pick at quarterback like Caleb Williams would be the perfect way to help his NFL transition. No more need to play hero ball. He can chuck it up to three studs and let them do their thing.

Will this scenario happen? Anything is possible. Guys slip down the board seemingly every year for the weirdest reasons. A team favoring Odunze over Malik Nabers is hardly an unjustified one. He’s a terrific player, too. It still feels unlikely. The NFL covets speed at wide receiver. Letting somebody of his caliber slip to #9 is hard to imagine. If it does, Bears fans might be dancing in the streets. As always, it comes down to whether other teams cooperate.