Top WR Prospect Eager to Join Caleb Williams, bears' talented roster

It seems increasingly unlikely that South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette will be picked by the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-1, 221-pound Legette has surged in draft projections recently and is anticipated to be selected in the late first to early second round. However, the Bears hold the first and ninth picks in the first round and lack selections between the ninth and the 75th picks in the third round.

At this stage, a draft selection by the Bears looks improbable, but circumstances could change if the Bears decide to trade down from their ninth pick to regain a second-round pick they previously traded to acquire Montez Sweat.

Legette, known for his prowess in making contested catches and his powerful running in open spaces, would complement Bears receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen well—two players he admires and hopes to learn from.


«That would mean a lot," Legette expressed in an interview with NBC Sports Chicago, sponsored by Six Star Nutrition protein. "Those two veterans would provide great learning opportunities. Keenan Allen's run-after-catch abilities and DJ Moore's all-around excellence would make integrating into that offense not just exciting but potentially very impactful."

Legette has studied several top receivers to refine his skills, including A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, and Allen.

«Keenan Allen is masterful at running tempo routes," Legette observed. "Even though he's not the fastest and is getting older, he uses the tempo to keep defenders guessing.»

In March, the Bears traded for Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers in a move designed to bolster their receiving corps, potentially to pair with top draft prospect Caleb Williams at quarterback.

Legette is keen on starting his career with a quarterback like Williams, noting his exceptional arm talent. «Caleb Williams can place the ball anywhere," Legette said. "Having a quarterback with his skills and being able to learn from him would significantly enhance our growth as a team.»

The Bears are looking to expand their receiving options in the draft, not wanting to rely solely on Moore and Allen next season.

Should Washington's Rome Odunze be unavailable by the ninth pick, the Bears might consider trading down to target another receiver later in the draft, opening opportunities for players like Texas' Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, Georgia's Ladd McConkey, Oregon's Troy Franklin, and ideally, Legette.