GM Ryan Pace always saves his bold moves for the NFL draft. Last year he gave up three picks to secure Mitch Trubisky. People wondered what he might try to do this year. The Chicago Bears were silent in the first round and appeared to do the same in the second. Then, out of nowhere, they dropped a bombshell. Giving up a future second rounder, they jumped from the 105th pick to the 51st in a deal with the New England Patriots. Their man of choice? Memphis wide receiver Anthony Miller.
This came as a shock to many. Having spent a lot of money to get Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel in free agency, receiver didn’t look like a huge need. Yet the Bears gave up a highly valuable pick to get him. He’s going to turn 24-years old this year, comes from a smaller program and even had to recover from a foot injury during the draft process.
He couldn’t be that good, could he? There’s no doubt his skill set fits the Matt Nagy offense but is the talent worth the price tag? Given what some scouts are saying about him, that’s a definite yes. In fact, if they’re right the Bears may have gotten him cheap.
Anthony Miller drawing multiple comparisons to Antonio Brown
Packers columnist Bob McGinn had a chance to catch up with some scouts to talk about the 2018 receiving class. His own personal rankings had Miller sixth, but it seems the scouts were big fans of his. So much that they didn’t balk at the similarities he shares with Brown.
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Brown is, of course, the best wide receiver in football. He’s not even 30-years old yet and already has 773 catches, 9,910 yards, and 79 touchdowns. How does he do it? The Steelers star is a technician as a route runner, has strong hands, quickness and explodes with acceleration. Miller shares those same exact traits. They even have similar personalities. They’re out to prove something.
Brown too came from a smaller program at Central Michigan. He was a sixth round pick. So it’s not hard to fathom teams might’ve overlooked Miller a bit as well.
:02 seconds in and you're gonna be an @AnthonyMiller_3 fan. #BearsDraft pic.twitter.com/96pgbkYNLL
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 28, 2018
He’s not a player who gobbled up lower competition either. It seemed like the better program he went against in college, the more dominant he became.
- 2017 vs. UCF (Undefeated) – 195 yards and 3 TDs
- 2017 vs. UCLA – 185 yards and 2 TDs
- 2016 vs. Houston (9-4) – 169 yards and 2 TDs
- 2016 vs. Ole Miss – 132 yards
- 2015 vs. Ole Miss – 132 yards and 1 TD
The Bears covet players who are smart and tireless workers. Talent is important but they want guys who want to be great. Miller checks that box in a big way. He has studied Brown extensively on tape, and also tries to model himself after former Panthers All-Pro Steve Smith. This kid is hungry and he’s walking into a perfect situation.
