With April officially here, the countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft is officially on. The Chicago Bears will have four picks in the top 100, including two in the second round, providing the front office with plenty of opportunities to add long-term building blocks as the team continues year two of the Ben Johnson-Ryan Poles era.
Despite having wide receivers Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, and signing veteran Kalif Raymond in free agency, the Bears could decide that adding to an already loaded offense means drafting a wide receiver.
One name that could make sense as a potential fit is Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Brenen Thompson.
Let's get into our scouting report on Thompson.
Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State, (5-foot-9, 164 pounds)
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"Thompson is a slightly built, vertical threat with rocket boosters in his shoes. With a career average of 39.8 yards per touchdown catch, there is no denying where his value lives. His acceleration phase is long-lasting, creating easy wins over the top and requiring safety involvement in man coverage. He struggles with traditional, non-vertical routes and finishing contested catches. He's not a catch-and-run specialist underneath but is dangerous crossing the hashes. He's dealt with injuries dating back to high school, missing significant time in 2023 due to ankle and hamstring ailments. A lack of size and versatility create challenges for his long-term projection, so diversifying his portfolio of offerings might be necessary for him to stick on a roster long-term."
Film:
Strengths:
- Speed is on another level compared to the rest of the wide receivers on the field.
- Never slows down when breaking and changing direction.
- Stretches the field vertically as a way of taking the top off a defense.
- Big play potential every time he touches the ball.
- Will be effective in space, especially when he's schemed open.
- Offers value as a threat in the short, intermediate, and deep passing game.
- Two best routes run include go routes and crosser routes over the middle of the field.
Weaknesses:
- Small frame will lead to questions about how much of an impact he can have at the next level.
- Will struggle to adapt against bigger, faster, and stronger defensive backs at the next level.
- Footwork gets choppy on more intricate routes.
- Has to work on improving his hands.
- Lacks physicality and the ability to defeat press coverage.
Does Thompson fit the Bears offense?
From the Bears perspective, adding a slot receiver who can stretch the field vertically, getting open on every pass play is a plus as it adds another dynamic weapon to the offense. Players like Odunze and Burden would benefit as Thompson's ability to stretch the field vertically creates opportunities underneath. But a player of Thompson's size won't be the best run blocker, nor will he possesses the physicality needed to be an every down player.
Conclusion:
Thompson will find a role as a rotational player for an NFL offense but the lack of size will be a major question about his longevity and usage, especially as his career progresses.
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