Chicago Bears: 7-Round 2018 mock draft in late January
Round 2: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State (6-4, 220 pounds)
I believe the Bears take care of their wide receiver problem for the most part through free agency. Look for them to maybe pick up two receivers. They still need another one in the draft. This draft is full of many good receivers. However, there aren’t any to take early in the first. Once you get to the late first and beyond, there are a plethora of players available.
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With all those receivers getting bunched up, some players will be available in the middle rounds. Marcell Ateman is one of those receivers. The Bears need a big body receiver to create mismatches downfield. There is a lack of big receivers available in free agency. Ateman, at 6-4, gives them that mismatch.
Imagine having Adam Shaheen and Ateman in the red zone. Then, if the opposing defenses try to shut them down, Trubisky can look to Tarik Cohen or possibly Jarvis Landry. Also, with the receivers spreading the defense, he can just give the ball to Jordan Howard. There are many choices in an offense like this.
Ateman draws comparisons to Brandon Marshall. There are some big receivers who play small. Marshall used his size to great advantage and so does Ateman. Throw the ball up for him to out jump the defender and he’ll make the catch.
Ateman continued to improve quietly. His teammate James Washington got all the attention, but Ateman may be a better pro. In his first two seasons, he grabbed just 42 passes total. In his junior season, he made 45 catches for 766 yards and five touchdowns. This year, however, he broke out. He had 54 receptions for 1,049 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ateman has the ability to stretch the defense and muscle them, but he also plays well in space. He succeeded in catching screen passes and going for big gains. I believe Ateman and Trubisky will play well together. He gives Trubisky options and that is what any quarterback wants.