2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at wide receiver

The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another important offseason, where they're looking to shore up the roster and remain contenders in Ben Johnson's second season as head coach as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.

The Bears didn't make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired.

Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle.

Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Up next is wide receiver, a group that looks a bit different following a significant trade, but has young playmakers ready to break out with Caleb Williams throwing them the ball.

Who's on the roster?

• Rome Odunze
• Luther Burden
• Kalif Raymond
• Jahdae Walker
• JP Richardson
• Maurice Alexander

Rome Odunze was projected to take a massive leap in his development last year entering his second season and was on his way to doing so over the first couple of months. After four games, Odunze had 296 receiving yards and five touchdowns as Williams' go-to target. A Pro Bowl season appeared to be on the horizon before a nagging foot injury limited his effectiveness before sidelining him for the final five games. Odunze wound up with 661 yards and six touchdowns and has some things to clean up when it comes to drops as well, as he will be looking to bounce back going into Year 3.

Luther Burden was able to take advantage of Odunze's absence late in the season. The second-round rookie out of Mizzou had a slow start but came on strong as a dangerous weapon for Williams. Burden made defenders look silly by juking them out of their cleats while also burning them deep on multiple occasions. Despite seeing limited targets early on, Burden finished the year with 652 yards and two scores and will be a popular breakout candidate for 2026.

The Bears needed a new versatile receiver and signed Kalif Raymond in the offseason away from the Detroit Lions. Raymond has experience as a return specialist but also knows Johnson's offense from their days with the Lions. He is sure to play a pivotal role as a WR3/4 this upcoming season, along with Jahdae Walker. The former undrafted free agent shined enough in the preseason to stick on the roster and got his big break late in the year when he caught the game-tying touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.

Who departed this offseason?

• DJ Moore
• Olamide Zaccheaus
• Devin Duvernay

The biggest departure of the offseason of any player has been DJ Moore, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills along with a fifth-round pick in exchange for a second-round pick. Moore spent the last three years as Chicago's top receiver but wasn't living up to the massive extension he signed back in 2024 after totaling 50 receptions for 682 yards. With the presence of Odunze and the emergence of Burden, Moore became expendable, though he is forever etched in Bears lore thanks to his multiple big touchdowns against the Packers.

The Bears also lost Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay, who departed as free agents and signed with the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals, respectively. Zaccheaus was a steady veteran presence for Williams and the offense, while Duvernay served as the primary punt and kick return specialist.

Positional need: Moderate

The receiver room has plenty of upside with Odunze and Burden leading the way, and with Colston Loveland producing at tight end, the Bears don't necessarily need another top-end threat at the position. Those three players alone should account for the majority of targets in the passing game. They did lose one of their most productive pass catchers, however, and while Raymond should provide a spark, they could stand to add another player to the room to develop. It's never a bad idea to take swings at a position like wide receiver, something that was validated last year with the selection of Burden in the second round.

Top draft prospects

• Carnell Tate, Ohio State
• Makai Lemon, USC
• Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
• KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
• Denzel Boston, Washington

Anything can happen in the NFL draft, but don't expect the Bears to use their first-round pick on a receiver. Players such as Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson will likely be long gone by the time Chicago is on the clock. Don't rule out a selection on Day 2 or Day 3, though. Prospects such as Georgia's Zachariah Branch, Oregon's Malik Benson, or Ole Miss' De'Zhaun Stribling all can stretch the field and provide the Bears with a home-run threat to work behind Odunze and Burden.ide the Bears with a home-run threat to work behind Odunze and Burden.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at wide receiver