The Chicago Bears are using one of their final days of draft preparation to host arguably the top wide receiver in the NFL Draft Tuesday.
Former West Virginia star Kevin White is visiting the club, and is coming from a visit with the St. Louis Rams, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. After White's tour of official visits around the league got off to a slow start, it closes with a flurry. Several teams with top-10 picks, including the Rams, Bears, Tennessee Titans and New York Jets, have hosted White this month.
The Bears draft at No. 7 overall, and could be in a strong position to take White. He and Alabama's Amari Cooper are considered the top two wide receivers in the draft, and the likelihood that both will be drafted in the top six, ahead of Chicago, appears slim.
The need is certainly there, as Chicago traded Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets, and could use a strong complement to Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Chicago, but running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennettranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the team in catches last year. White could provide a dynamic deep threat for quarterback Jay Cutler, and stretch defenses enough to open more space for Cutler's other targets.
While that prospect might be an exciting one for the Bears, a re-tooled defense is likely the higher priority. Gifted talents at wide receiver should be available later in the draft, but the Bears could get a much-needed centerpiece for new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense with the No. 7 pick as well. Washington nose guard Danny Shelton, or an edge pass rusher with double-digit sack potential, could be more appealing to general manager Ryan Pace.
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