2011 NFL Combine: 5 Receivers the Chicago Bears Should Be Watching in Indy

The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine has started and it’s time for all 32 NFL Teams to start some of the longest days of the NFL offseason. 

Each team will interview several players, stand by to observe the player’s measurements, review their medical history, and watch them perform drills such as the 40-yard dash, the long jump and the cone drill.  For NFL teams it’s one of the most important things that they will do all year.

The Bears are one of those teams that are going to have to pay particular attention to the scouting combine this weekend.  They need to pay close attention to three areas in particular: the offensive line, the defensive line and the wide receiver position.  They will pay close attention to all of the players at these positions so that they can find someone (or a few guys) that they can draft and help keep this team moving in the right direction.

So, as the combine get started, let’s take a look at five wide receiver prospects participating in the combine this weekend that could interest the Bears.

1. Jonathan Baldwin: Pittsburgh

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches as teammate Dion Lewis #28 fumbles the ball at the goal line against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (

We have talked about Baldwin as a possible interest for the Bears in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and there are several mock drafts that peg the Bears taking Baldwin with their first round pick. With Chicago on the lookout for a number one wide receiver, Baldwin may be just the right guy for the Bears.

Baldwin has the size that the Bears, or most any team, would like at the wide receiver position coming in at 6’5” and 225 pounds.  He can win those battles for the ball against smaller cornerbacks and safeties and isn’t afraid to go over the middle.  He is also strong and can find openings in coverage to get to the ball and make a play.

He needs to work on his route running, learn how to get more open, and perfect his ability to not slow down when he goes into and comes out of his breaks.

A little polish and some good NFL coaching could get him up to speed quickly and make him productive right out of the gate for the Bears. 

The question is: Would they be willing to spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver when they need some help on the offensive line much more?

2. Jeff Maehl: Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks catches a two-point conversion to tie the game late in the fourth quarter against Zac Etheridge #4 of the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoe

While it's true that the Bears need some guys with speed, they could also use a possession receiver similar to what they had in Mushin Muhammad—without the drops of course. 

There is a guy that could interest them in that capacity and that guy is Oregon’s Jeff Maehl. 

Maehl has nice height, great hands and rarely, if ever, dropping passes.  He is also not afraid to go over the middle of the field to make a catch and runs very nice routes.  He’s a very good route runner and can control his body well when making the catch.  

Maehl is not built big and that could be a problem (he's a bit thin).  He doesn’t have the speed that is ideal in a true No. 1 wide receiver.  He isn't a top athlete, and he still needs some coaching, but he'll find plenty of that in the NFL.

The Bears might have a bit of an interest in Maehl because they have some speed at the wide receiver position already with Johnny Knox.  Maehl could become a reliable go-to guy for quarterback Jay Cutler and help move the ball down the field nicely.

3. Dane Sanzenbacher: Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Dane Sanzenbacher #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs after a catch against Isaac Madison #6 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in Ne

Sanzenbacher is yet another wide receiver that might interest the Bears during the combine this weekend. 

He's one of those sure-handed receivers that doesn’t drop too many footballs.  He plays the game very tough (and has to because of his size) and can take some hard hits.  He runs routes very well is well adept at finding holes in the defense’s zone coverage.  He’s not afraid to make a difficult catch and is a very intelligent player.

Size is a big problem with Sanzenbacher, but he’s been durable during his career at Ohio State.  He doesn’t have blazing speed either and has trouble going up and getting the ball out the air at its high point.

His body size and willingness to go over the middle and take hits may have him sitting on the sidelines with an injury.  He reminds me of former Bear Tom Waddle.

The Bears may be interested in Sanzenbacher in the later rounds of the draft, but they should only be serious about considering him if they feel he can stand up to the pounding that he’s going to take with his size. 

He is a fine possession receiver and could be a favorite target of Cutler if he proves himself.

4. Austin Pettis: Boise State

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

Coming from a high-flying offense up in Boise State, Pettis could easily be someone that the Bears keep their eye on at the combine. 

Pettis is a big-bodied wide receiver that can be a possession type guy in the Bears offense.  He catches the ball well and is tall enough to out-jump cornerbacks and get the ball high out of the air.  He runs routes very well and like some of the other players mentioned he isn’t afraid to catch passes over the middle.  He can also make plays with the ball.

Speed is not something that Pettis was blessed with and won’t be a burner.  He did suffer a leg injury (broken lower leg) while he was in colleges, so that may be of some concern for the Bears.

Possession receivers are not a dime a dozen, and the Bears will be in the market for one during the draft.  A guy like Pettis would be a nice addition to the team as he comes with experience in an offense that passed the ball a lot and has caught a lot of passes.

5. Niles Paul: Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Niles Paul #24 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers finishes off a reception against the Kansas Jayhawks during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Kansas 20-3. (Photo by Eric Franc

The Cornhuskers may not be known for having a big-time passing game, but they do have a talent that could turn out to be a fine receiver in the NFL. 

Paul is a strong wide receiver with decent hands and, like the others we have outlined here, isn’t afraid to go over the middle to catch the ball.  His initial quickness off the line is good and he can beat cornerbacks off of the line of scrimmage.  He’s good at going up and getting the ball.  Plus, he's still got plenty of room to grow and develop.

What Paul lacks is consistency, as he will drop passes from time to time.  He needs to improve his route running a little more, work on getting separation from the defender, and learn how to secure the football better.

He may have some injury concerns as he broke his foot this past season leaving some wondering just how ready he will be for the upcoming 2011 season.

Paul is an interesting prospect that might draw some interest from the Bears thanks to his strength.  He will have to prove that he’s going be over his foot injury in order to get drafted, but he should get drafted and could be in the fold as a wide receiver with the Bears in the future.