NFL draft preview: Wide receivers

The Bears have potential in young wide receiver Devin Hester and Mark Bradley, and experience in Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd.

But they don't have a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Even the Bears' coaches are unsure what the wide receiver pecking order will be when off-season practices begin.

"When they get in here, we'll just start teaching them the offense, get them comfortable with everything," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "We've got a good feel for what they can do, but we want to see them in the off-season, working with our quarterbacks and fitting in with the other guys that we have."

The Bears have too many more pressing needs than to spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver, even though their corps of pass catchers is badly in need of an upgrade and lacks anyone resembling a go-to guy. As a consequence, the possibility of getting a first-round talent without spending a first-round pick would be worth considering, even if it means taking a chance.

That's what the Bears or any team that drafts Indiana's James Hardy will be doing. But it's a gamble that could pay off handsomely if the king-size wideout grows up and stays out of trouble.

That's a big "if" considering Hardy's checkered past, but it will be easy for any team to become infatuated with his talent.

The 6-foot-5½, 217-pound junior caught at least 10 TD passes in each of his three seasons with the Hoosiers, including 16 last season, which gave him a school career-record 36. He never caught less than 51 passes in a season and never averaged less than 14.2 yards per catch.

Hardy probably can get to more balls than any player in the draft with his reach, leaping ability, agility and amazing knack for making circus catches high, low and everywhere in between. Hardy is a nightmare to defend in the red zone, where he enjoys a mismatch on just about anyone on the field.

That's the upside. The downside is that Hardy can be a nightmare for his own coaches, too.

In May 2006, he was arrested and charged with domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime when he allegedly attacked his girlfriend and their infant son. Those charges were dropped when he completed a pretrial diversion program. That season he was also suspended two games for unspecified personal reasons.

Hardy contends that he has matured, and he has shown improved judgment by avoiding trouble for nearly to two years.

"As a young man, I never had no one to actually sit me down and tell me things I've done wrong, so I've learned from my mistakes," he said. "I can honestly tell you as a man that I've made mistakes in the past and I've learned from them and they won't happen again. That's all I can do and just show the person that I am. I can't worry about the past. I just look forward to the future."

There are concerns on the field, too, such as lapses in concentration, failure to make easy catches and inconsistency of effort. He also does not play very physically despite his size.

Still, Hardy is a borderline first-round talent, and he frequently is tabbed at the end of the first round in mock drafts. In others, he's a shaky second-round pick.

ESPN.com's Scouts Inc. said: "He comes with some character baggage that will cause him to drop a bit during draft weekend. However, Hardy possesses a unique blend of size, athleticism and reliable hands."

If Hardy checks his baggage at the door, he could be a gamble that pays off big for some team.

The top wide receivers

Player, college Size 40 time

Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma* 6-35/8, 224 4.51 Bob LeGere's skinny: Raw and lacks top speed, quickness; has great size size, reliable hands and toughness. Will win jump balls.

Limas Sweed, Texas 6-37/8, 216 4.48 Wrist injury ruined senior season, but he's a big-play guy with toughness and a great work ethic.

DeSean Jackson, California* 5-9, 169 4.35 Lack of size is a big concern, but he's an electrifying returner and a home run threat with elite speed and run-after-the-catch ability.

Devin Thomas, Michigan State* 6-2, 216 4.40 Good size and strength, will catch in a crowd and is a physical runner after the catch but is unrefined and only had 1 big season.

Mario Manningham, Michigan* 5-11, 181 4.64 Smooth route runner with great agility, hands and big-play ability, but he ran poorly at combine and lacks size and strength.

Early Doucet, LSU 6-0, 209 4.56 Hard-working tough guy who will do the dirty work -- go over the middle, block and fight for the ball. Lacks speed to separate.

James Hardy, Indiana* 6-57/8, 217 4.58 Double-digit TDs in three straight seasons. Size makes him a matchup nightmare; lacks speed, has inconsistent hands and character concerns.

Jordy Nelson, Kansas State 6-25/8, 215 4.52 Has the size, toughness and hands to work the middle and run after the catch. Lacks great speed, quickness. Big senior season.

Andre Caldwell, Florida 6-0, 204 4.37 Great straight-line speed, experienced but not elusive. Hands and blocking inconsistent, but size-strength-speed combo excellent.

Earl Bennett, Vandy* 5-11, 208 4.48 SEC's all-time leading receiver. Adjusts to poor passes and makes circus catches with great body control. Doesn't play to 40 time.

*Junior in college