Bears Eyeing Explosive Wide Receiver in 2nd Round

ESPN analyst Matt Bowen believes Bears coach Ben Johnson will target a YAC-focused wideout like Georgia's Zachariah Branch

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:36am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a football game, with sharp planes of color representing the players and action on the field.A cubist interpretation of the Bears' search for a versatile wide receiver to elevate their passing attack.Chicago Today

According to ESPN analyst Matt Bowen, the Chicago Bears and new head coach Ben Johnson are likely to target a wide receiver with strong yards-after-catch ability in the second round of the upcoming NFL Draft. Bowen believes Georgia's Zachariah Branch, who excelled at creating plays for himself after the catch, could be a prime target for Johnson and the Bears as they look to bolster their receiving corps following the trade of D.J. Moore.

Why it matters

The Bears' receiving corps remains a question mark heading into the draft, with uncertainty around the health and development of their top two wideouts, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. Adding a dynamic playmaker like Branch could provide a significant boost to the offense and complement the team's other skill position players.

The details

Bowen notes that Johnson, the Bears' new head coach, has historically favored receivers who can create plays for themselves after the catch. This aligns well with Branch's strengths, as the Georgia wideout racked up 632 yards after the catch last season, despite playing in an offense that Bowen and others have criticized for not utilizing him properly. With the Bears' second-round pick at #57 overall, Bowen believes Johnson may push the team to select Branch if he's available, as the Bears look to add a versatile weapon to their passing attack.

  • The 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 27-29, 2023.

The players

Matt Bowen

A former NFL safety who is now a top analyst for ESPN, known for his in-depth film study and evaluations of NFL players and teams.

Ben Johnson

The new head coach of the Chicago Bears, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and is known for his preference for receivers who can create plays after the catch.

Zachariah Branch

A wide receiver prospect from the University of Georgia, who excelled at generating yards after the catch despite playing in an offense that did not fully utilize his abilities.

Rome Odunze

A wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, who played through a foot injury last season and whose health remains a concern heading into the 2023 season.

Luther Burden

A wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, who had an explosive rookie season but still needs to develop his overall efficiency as a receiver.

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What they’re saying

“Apparently Branch only ran a corner, comeback, or post route on 1% of his total routes run. He says that the Dawgs are not utilizing him properly.”

— Steve Smith, Former NFL star receiver

“This is a coach who likes to keep the deck stacked. He has every reason to, as well. The Bears still have questions about the position's stability.”

— Matt Bowen, ESPN analyst

What’s next

The Bears will have their second-round pick, #57 overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft, where they could target a wide receiver like Zachariah Branch if he is available.

The takeaway

The Bears' new head coach Ben Johnson has a clear preference for receivers who can create plays for themselves after the catch, and Zachariah Branch's skill set aligns well with that philosophy. If Branch is available when the Bears pick in the second round, he could be an ideal target to bolster their receiving corps and provide a dynamic playmaker for their offense.