Draft projections are fun because it’s always interesting to see predictions come true or get proven false. It is inevitable every year that certain players experts were sure would go in the 1st round end up falling to the 2nd or later. Sometimes the reasons are justified. Other times they’re overblown. Either way, it happens. The 2022 draft won’t be any different. For the Chicago Bears, there appears to be at least one prospect they’re hoping falls to them. That is Treylon Burks.
In February, team representatives first met with the Arkansas wide receiver at the scouting combine. Now word comes via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the team brought Burks in for a private visit. That is a strong indication of genuine interest. Especially since the Bears don’t pick until 39th overall and many continue to project the receiver landing somewhere in the 1st round. Mel Kiper of ESPN has him going 23rd overall to the Arizona Cardinals.
More visits:
— #Houston DL David Anenih has a Top 30 visit with the #Bengals this week, and he’s had the #Vikings, #Cowboys, and #Colts.
— #PSU S Jaquan Brisker will visit the #49ers tomorrow.
— #Arkansas WR Treylon Burks visits the #Bears and #AZCardinals early this week.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2022
So that brings up the obvious question. Why are the Bears wasting their time?
One of two reasons. They’re either considering a move up the board to snag him, which is unlikely given their lack of capital (six picks overall). Or they believe there is at least a reasonable chance Burks slips out of the 1st round. Finding an explanation for this isn’t too difficult either. The receiver had a somewhat disappointing performance at the combine, running a pedestrian 4.55 in the 40-yard dash and a modest 33-inch vertical jump.
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On top of that, rumors are floating around that he’s had trouble maintaining his weight. This leads to questions about whether he does everything needed to stay in shape. Draft stock has cooled over far flimsier arguments. The Bears brass of GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have repeatedly said they rely on the tape to tell them about prospects. It isn’t surprising they’re high on Burks by sticking to that.
Treylon Burks reached a top speed of 22.6 MPH on this play in week 3. No NFL player reached a top speed higher than that this season and only Raheem Mostert did the year before. But Burks didn’t get out of the blocks well at the combine so he is probably slow 🙄 pic.twitter.com/qE0rVkPXVW
— Shane Haff (@HAFFnHAFF_TPL) April 17, 2022
Twitter GMs told me Treylon Burks can’t run route pic.twitter.com/Z1iUu8ZjHy
— 00 (@00Jets) April 18, 2022
A couple of big boy catches and a couple of yards after the catch plays.
Treylon Burks is the real deal. pic.twitter.com/Ln5UvFtTmi
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) April 13, 2022
Treylon Burks fits the exact offense the Bears hope to run.
Luke Getsy will implement the Shanahan-style system in Chicago. The best wide receiver in the actual Shanahan offense out in San Francisco is Deebo Samuel. Aside from being an accomplished pass-catcher, his excellence comes in the form of his versatility. He’s been used in all sorts of alignments and even given carries from the backfield. Anybody that watches Burks at Arkansas will see he possesses many similar qualities.
He is much faster than his timed speed indicates, able to take screens or short passes to the house. What makes him even more dangerous is his unique running style. He has body control that isn’t typical of a wide receiver. Combine that with a strong pair of hands and solid route-running skills, and he’s got all the tools to become a true #1 target
All the Bears need is a chance to pull the trigger.
The odds don’t favor them. There are several receiver-needy teams in the back end of the 1st round. It’d be a genuine shock if they all pass on Treylon Burks. Still, crazier things have happened. It is nice to see Poles has a keen eye for talent and isn’t letting typical pre-draft nonsense cloud his judgment.
