LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- A few quick thoughts on the Chicago Bears' first-round draft pick.
The pick: Kevin White, wide receiver, West Virginia
My take: Easy choice. White fit the definition of best available player left on the board after the New York Jets took USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams at No. 6, plus he fills a sizable void at wide receiver in the aftermath of the Brandon Marshall trade. The Bears did extensive pre-draft work on White, including Chicago wide receivers coach Mike Groh running White’s pro day drills at West Virginia on March 14. White later made a pre-draft visit to Chicago in April. The offseason additions of White and free agent Eddie Royal, coupled with former Pro Bowler Alshon Jeffery, gives the Bears three serious weapons at wide receiver. The Bears could have decided to lean toward defense and select pass-rushers Vic Beasley or Bud Dupree, but White is the safe pick, despite the lack of productivity until late in college. Bears general manager Ryan Pace made the smart decision. The Bears made a concerted effort heading into the draft to stay within themselves and resist the urge to get too cute. Although White is labeled as raw, the upside is tremendous. White is considered a favorite to start in 2015.
Streaking: One of the knocks against White is he played just two years at West Virginia and posted just modest numbers in 2013 (35 catches for 507 receiving yards and five touchdowns). But he turned it on last season and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. White has all the physical tools to perform at a Pro Bow level. Bears general manager Ryan Pace calls him a highly intelligent and confident playmaker.
Speed to burn: White is a big receiver at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, but he tore up the NFL combine in February with a 4.35 40-yard dash. The Bears have lacked a speedy receiver with the ability to take the top off the defense. White offers the best of both worlds. He is tall enough to handle the underneath routes but also gives the Bears a deep threat. Quarterback Jay Cutler is full of well-documented faults, but Cutler’s arm strength is not in question. Cutler and White might prove to be an exciting combination if White can navigate the NFL learning curve. White also bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times. He possesses the physical strength to thrive at the NFL level; now he needs to learn the proper technique to expedite the adjustment.