Bears' interest in late round WR could bring the team back to a familiar watering hole in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears have been busy over the past few weeks getting ready for the 2024 NFL Draft that is now only less than a month away. Next up in the process for the Bears, with the majority of the Pro Day workouts behind us, is scheduling and conducting various Top-30 visits with potential prospects. […]
The Chicago Bears have been busy over the past few weeks getting ready for the 2024 NFL Draft that is now only less than a month away.
Next up in the process for the Bears, with the majority of the Pro Day workouts behind us, is scheduling and conducting various Top-30 visits with potential prospects.
The Bears have already scheduled a solid majority of their visits, including one coming up with an under the radar late round wide receiver the front office might have their eyes on with one of their four draft choices.
According to Ryan Fowler, the Bears will host Tulane wide receiver Jah'Quan Jackson on a Top-30 visit in the coming days ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Jackson has also received interest from the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals.
At 5'9, 188 pounds, Jackson is a little undersized at the position but was still able to turn some heads during the NFL Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl during the pre-draft process. Jackson compared himself to similar sized wide receivers listing Zay Flowers and Steve Smith Sr. as players he looks up to.
Despite his size, Jackson proved he can produce at all three levels down the field while working primarily out of the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson lined up in the slot on 249 out of 314 offensive snaps during the 2023 season. During his career at Tulane, Jackson averaged 16.0 yards per reception with 17 receiving TDs.
Jackson noted his versatility and route running ability as his key strengths that helps set him apart from the rest of a loaded wide receiver class in Indianapolis. During his career, Jackson hauled in 109 receptions while totaling five carries in 2023. He also returned 36 kickoffs and 59 punts during his five years at Tulane.
"Not too many guys in the league play as a receiver and a returner," Jackson said while at the combine. "That's probably my biggest asset. I just want to be me and just go out there and try to help a team be better and win a Super Bowl."
The Bears are desperate to add some more talent into the wide receiver room and adding a player later in the draft with that kind of special teams ability could lead to some much needed competition at the position while grooming him on offense.
Chicago has had some previous success drafting players out of Tulane such as defensive back and former All-Pro Richie Petitbon, Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte, and wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who departed in free agency.
The Bears could look to find their next Mooney in a wide receiver such as Jackson, whom the team could also look to select in the later rounds. It all depends on how his visit in Chicago fares and what kind of impression he leaves on the front office.
Bears are set to host one of the top wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft for a Top-30 visit
There seems to be plenty of interest.
