Ryan Pace's aggressive pursuit of playmakers around Mitch Trubisky continues with WR Anthony Miller

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Ryan Pace entered Friday with only one pick, but made an aggressive move to trade back into the second round and draft Memphis wide receiver Anthony Miller. 

The Bears traded a 2019 second-round pick and one of their two fourth-round picks (No. 105) to the New England Patriots for the No. 51 pick, which they used on Miller. The 5-foot-11, 201 pound Miller appears to be an idea fit for the “Z” receiver in Matt Nagy’s offense, which is required to play both outside and in the slot. 

Miller was hugely productive in college, totaling 238 catches, 3,590 yards and 37 touchdowns from 2015-2017. More important than his production, though, is he graded as a good route runner — which isn’t always easy to find in college receivers. 

Miller had to walk on at Memphis — he signed a blank sheet of paper on his “signing day” — and plays with a certain grittiness that stands out on tape. 

“I have always had that toughness,” Miller said at the NFL Combine. “I have always had that dog mentality. I don't like to be shown up. At all. So, what do I need to do to improve whether it be my strength or speed, I believe I will be able to adjust well in the offense that I will able to be in.”

As was the case with James Daniels — the Iowa center taken by the Bears with pick No. 39 — Ryan Pace is continuing to build the best possible structure around Mitch Trubisky. The one move that appeared to detract from those efforts was letting Cameron Meredith sign with the New Orleans Saints; Miller should effectively replace Meredith in the Bears’ depth chart.

To recap, since New Year’s Day, the following coaches and players have been added around Trubisky:

Matt Nagy
Mark Helfrich
Allen Robinson
Taylor Gabriel
Trey Burton
James Daniels
Anthony Miller

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