Chicago Bears mock draft after Smith, Quinn, and Claypool trades

Chicago Bears mock draft round 7: Zakhari Franklin, WR, UTSA

Typically, a pick in the seventh round means you are gambling on the athletic upside, and in the case of the Bears, they need as many selections as possible to take shots on those types of players. Additionally, they need some speed and reliability with their wide receivers. In this case, they look to a smaller school and find UTSA’s Zakhari Franklin, a 6’1″ receiver with smooth strides and quickness that isn’t coachable.

When Franklin gets the ball in his hands, he’s bound to make a play. His best trait is his route running. He can run all the routes you want in a wide receiver, which checks off the most crucial box. He’s best as a deep threat with the straight-line speed that can cause defenders to miss angles, allowing Franklin to be a threat over the top. He won’t consistently take the top off, but he can keep a defense guessing.

His blocking, however, is a question. He’s not a physical blocker, and in this offense, where running the ball is vital, blocking will be essential. Still, that can be coached, and if that tool is added to Franklin’s skillset, then this pick in the seventh round might be more of a valuable asset than merely filling a roster spot.