The Chicago Bears had a disastrous end to the NFL season, losing 10 of their last 11 games after a strong 4-2 start. The Bears revamped their coaching staff in an attempt to turn their fortunes around. After poaching offensive guru Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions, they are hoping quarterback Caleb Williams can blossom into a star.
Their wide receiver corps was expected to be one of the best in the NFL, with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen. That didn’t go as planned, as all three receivers fell short of the 1,000-yard mark. Since Allen is an impending free agent, PFSN’s Ben Rolfe has the Bears taking Miami Hurricanes WR Xavier Restrepo with the No. 72 pick in the third round of his latest seven-round mock draft.
A New Weapon for Bears QB Caleb Williams
Restrepo spent five years with the Miami Hurricanes and broke out in his fourth and fifth seasons.
While Restrepo isn’t very big, standing at just 5’10”, he produced at a high level with two 1,000-yard seasons. Restrepo earned All-American honors for his performance in 2024 as he built on a successful 2023 season.
“With most of the value having dried up along the offensive line, the Bears may look to give Caleb Williams another weapon in Xavier Restrepo,” Rolfe writes. “He thrives in the slot and over the middle, his versatility and sharp route running make him a rising NFL prospect.
“Restrepo’s ability to create separation, find holes in coverage, and adapt his routes to break defenses sets him apart. As a potential replacement for Keenan Allen, who could develop into a full-time starter opposite Rome Odunze, Restrepo is an intriguing pick for the Bears.”
In 2024, Restrepo had an incredible connection with Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who is projected to go No. 1 overall in Rolfe’s mock draft. Restrepo tallied 69 receptions, 1,127 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2024. Restrepo and Ward’s connection almost was the catalyst for an appearance in the College Football Playoffs for the Miami Hurricanes until a late-season loss to Syracuse derailed their hopes.
Restrepo made his way into the Hurricanes’ record books as the program’s all-time receiving yards leader. He’s above some incredible names, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Michael Irvin and Andre Johnson as well as NFL legend Reggie Wayne. He had 200 receptions for 2,844 yards and 21 touchdowns during his collegiate career.
His incredible numbers put him in legendary status at Miami. After making a name for himself with his impressive contributions, he will try to duplicate his success at the next level.
Restrepo can be a great weapon for Williams. Last season, Williams was the 33rd-best quarterback in the NFL according to PFSN’s QB+ metric. He finished the season with a 63.2 (D) grade.
While Allen brought experience to the receiver room in Chicago, replacing him with younger legs could be the move to propel Chicago’s passing attack forward. Restrepo offers a threat to stretch the field while also exploiting open gaps in defenses to create explosive plays.
Helping Williams break out and realize his full potential as the No. 1 overall pick is the top priority for Johnson and GM Ryan Poles. Adding a dynamic receiver like Restrepo could be one piece of the puzzle to unlocking the best version of Williams.
Bears fans are already excited about the team’s receiving corps, but adding Restrepo in the draft could take it to the next level.