There's little doubt why the Bears are sniffing around Isaiah Bond, the Texas wide receiver who will be coming to Halas Hall on a 30 visit.
In 2022 and 2023 Ben Johnson coordinated Detroit's defense and they were very good, ranking fifth in scoring both times.
Then Jameson Williams figured out what he needed to do to be on the field, healthy, in his third season and a player who had never made more than two catches in a game until December of his second season suddenly had nine games with more than 63 yards receiving. The Lions went on to finish first in scoring, second overall.
"Defenses don't want to single him out because he will make them pay," Johnson told reporters about Williams' speed. "They're not as fast as him, it's as simple as that."
WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
Dynamic receiver with elite speed (4.39) - Big-play weapon - Explosive vertical stretch ability - Upper tier ball tracking - Leverages track pedigree to thrive short and deep - RAC ability - Set up man for teammates - Confident and sudden route running -… pic.twitter.com/zMNCQHjV0Q
— The Film Room (@Cover1FilmRoom) March 27, 2025
The result then was defenses trying to keep from getting beat deep and it softened them up over the middle for the running game and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Bears offense Johnson inherits has no threat to take a lid off the defense any play, although they have good speed in the receiver corps overall with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay and Tyler Scott. Yet, there is no fright show, the kind to put the fear of instant TDs in every cornerback.
Hence, Bond, who might be one of the fastest receivers in this draft but definitely is the most confident.
Fields tight window throws to DJ Moore for Amazing catches is going to feed families this season 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kk4benzPdB
— Sadeek 𓋹 (@SadeekCreates) August 6, 2023
"What separates me from the rest of the draft class is the sheer speed," Bond told reporters at the NFL scouting combine. "There's not a receiver that has the speed and capabilities that I have.
"It's not just speed; I'm a complete wide receiver. I have amazing routes. If you watch the tape, you'll see that."
Maybe only Muhammad Ali and carnival barkers trumpted things up better.
Would you like to see the #Bills draft WR Isaiah Bond?#BillsMafia | #BuiltInBuffalo pic.twitter.com/7oHoJvquGh
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) March 26, 2025
"Really people underestimate my hands," Bond said. "I only had two recorded drops my whole college career. There's not a lot of receivers out there or in the past that have ever done that.
"And also my route running, if you really want to watch the tape. People say I'm all speed, but I have really crisp and clean routes."
After 21 Longhorns participated in this year's Pro Day, I asked Isaiah Bond if this group can break the draft record for players selected in one year
"100 percent"#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/RdQPvtdRfQ
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) March 26, 2025
The truth is Bond is fast, but hasn't tested as fast as he says or promised. As for his receiving ability, if all he said about his route and ability are true then the Longhorns either had poor quarterbacking, bad coaching or he had injuries all year because he didn't catch a ton of passes.
Bond did suffer an ankle injury last year that impacted his play. He said he never really got over it.
"It's a physical sport," he said. "The best ones are going to play hurt."
.@TexasFootball @isaiahbond_ he looks fast b/c he gets to top speed in only 3 steps; while his short area QKS are difficult to defend. #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/uSsFaMLdjS
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) March 9, 2025
Bond went on to make 34 catches for 540 yards with five touchdown catches in his lone Longhorns season. He came over from Alabama, where he had 65 catches for 888 yards and five TDs in two years.
So while he has talked a lot about his abilities, and has produced some numbers, those haven't put him among the draft class' elite receivers.
Ranking the Drop Rates of the Top WRs in this year's draft from last season 📊
1. Jack Bech - 1.1%
2. Jayden Higgins - 1.6%
3. Xavier Restrepo - 2.1%
4. Travis Hunter - 2.5%
5. Jaylin Noel - 3.4%
6. Isaiah Bond - 3.6%
T-7. Luther Burden III - 3.7%
T-7. Jalen Royals - 3.7%
9.… https://t.co/F7rLdUxqZc pic.twitter.com/A7PVPEw2B8
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 27, 2025
Nor did his speed claims quite live up to what he has said, although there's no denying he can run.
At the combine his prediction before the 40s: "I anticipate running 4.20, or possibly if I'm feeling great, I might run 4.1."
He said his best time, but not an official clocking of any sort, was 4.23.
The fact that @RyanTalbotBills was asked not to report the Bills’ 30 visit, dinner, and workout with Isaiah Bond just yet tells me they’re very, very interested. He’d be a great fit#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/I7DkzcpttF
— Lauren Elizabeth🌹 (@xLauren_Mx) March 26, 2025
At the combine, Bond ran 4.39, tied for ninth among receivers. So at the Texas pro day this week, Bond was looking again for a better number. He was upstaged a bit by running back Jaydon Blue and what was reported at 4.28 and 4.25. Bond ran the second-fastest time for his team at 4.34.
A 4.34 is a very good time, just like 4.39, and they're speeds Johnson could no doubt do something with either as a target or a decoy.
Isaiah Bond is coming to Chicago for a pre-draft visit.
I like don’t LOVE him. He’s fast but only has a 27% contested catch rate and aligned out wide 77% of time.
At Texas he had 16 YPC 34 rec for 540 yards. Thoughts on Bond Chicago? #Bears #ChicagoBears #DaBears pic.twitter.com/SsZ2TyfYdf
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) March 27, 2025
X: BearsOnSI