Chicago Bears NFL Draft Target: Ricky White III |
Dustin Riese
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- Wednesday, April 16 2025
When it comes to finding draft value, especially in the later rounds, the Chicago Bears take the cake. For whatever reason, Ryan Pace and Ryan Poles have done a nice job finding talented players not only on day three of the NFL draft but also talented players who can make an impact from day one.
You started to see that with Larry Borum before his injury as well as Tyler Scott, but neither of them are seen as long-term options. Despite that, look for Poles track record of late round success to continue this season as he has built up quite a reputation of being what you call a value-finder. Sticking with the late-round value options for the Bears, UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III comes to mind. The Bears are still looking for wide receiver depth despite their recent additions. White has been one of the more productive receivers in the nation the past few seasons and is coming off a 1041-yard campaign with 11 scores. That would be considered a down year despite his career-high in touchdowns, as he hauled in more than 1400 yards in 2023 with eight scores. Across four seasons with the Rebels, White picked up close to 3400 yards and hauled in 24 scores. Given the production he has put up, some might be wondering why he is being viewed as such a late-round option. At 6-1 and 190 pounds, he has the size you like to see with an NFL wide receiver, and his production has been there, especially the past two seasons. However, the issue lies in his speed, as he was clocked at 4.61 during the combine. That ranked him toward the bottom regarding wide receivers and put him behind several linebackers and tight ends. His lack of speed isn't going to fly in the NFL, and for a guy built like him, he should be able to post better numbers than that. You could also have a situation where he didn't test well, and if that is the case, he could emerge as one of those late-round steals that every team dreams of having. Despite the overall depth that the Bears have acquired at the wide receiver position, White is one of those players who has a chance to excel on special teams. Every team desperately needs great special-teams players, and the Bears are no exception, which is why they may look to nab him. Even with Miles Boykin and Devin Duvernay as far superior special team options, both of them are on one-year deals, which leaves the door open to other options in 2026. White could be one of those future options, so just getting him on this team now, whether it's on the practice squad or regular roster, could be huge for his development as a player. As things sit, if White is a late-round option for the Bears, he would most likely battle it out with Travis Homer and Scott for one of the final roster spots, even if it's soley a special team's position for now. After all, the best way to make it in the NFL is to not only get your foot in the door but also to make a name for yourself on special teams. White has already made a name for himself on special teams as he is the defending Mountain West special team's player of the year. You add that to Duvernay and the mentor he could be, and the Bears would ultimately have arguably one of the better return groups in the league.
