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The Quarterback's Choice: A Wide Receiver

Who Bears quarterback Justin Fields would like to see as a draft pick is understandable considering he is a potential target in the passing game.
Gene Chamberlain|
The Quarterback's Choice: A Wide Receiver
The Quarterback's Choice: A Wide Receiver

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Chicago Bears

Bears quarterback Justin Fields said just after the season ended that he left the personnel aspect of the team to GM Ryan Poles and gave no recommendations.

However, on Wednesday while appearing on the Pardon My Take podcast for C4 energy drinks, Fields had a recommendation for the draft.

"It just depends what pick we have," Fields said.

It's a legitimate concern because they own the No. 1 pick but it's possible they trade down in Round

"I'm going with my man Jaxon Smith-Njigba," Fields said. "I've seen him in action, I've seen how he can separate himself like that and his body control is crazy."

Smith-Njigba played at Ohio State one season when Fields was at the school.

"He didn't get to play this last year, he didn't get to show what he can do," Fields told Pardon My Take.  "So I'm hoping he falls to us somewhere."

Smith-Njigba had just 10 catches for 49 yards and a TD in 2020 when Fields was there during seven games in the COVID-shortened season.

In 2021, though, Njigba finished with 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns for 13 games. He was back an prepared for a big season with C.J. Stroud at quarterback but made only five receptions for 43 yards in 2022. Because of a hamstring injury, he playedin only three games.

ESPN draft evaluator Todd McShay calls Smith-Njigba a "tough evaluation" because of the missed games.

NFL Draft Bible calls Smith-Njigba the fourth-best receiver in this draft. He made 15 receptions in the Rose Bowl after the 2021 season.

"A lot of people were talking about us taking Jalen Carter or Will Anderson Jr. so we'll see," Fields said. "We'll see what happens.

"I'm guessing we'll get one of those guys and maybe some guys in free agency, but one I would like to have is Jaxon Smith-Njigba."

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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