If Bears get lucky, Robiskie would be a great catch

It's difficult not to like Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie on first impression.

He's articulate, humble and respectful. In other words, he's not at all like many of the big-name, high-profile wide receivers in the NFL.

It's even more difficult to imagine a player who could provide more immediate help to the Bears at the No. 49 spot in this year's draft than Robiskie. If he were still available when the Bears make their first pick - and there's a good chance he won't be - taking him would be a no-brainer. Trading up to get him would be the kind of proactive move that brought them franchise quarterback Jay Cutler.

It's time to get Cutler some playmates, and the Bears have shown more than a passing interest in Robiskie, and they are rumored to be considering moving up on draft day.

Robiskie is the perfect complement to Devin Hester. He has more than enough size (209 pounds and just a fraction under 6-foot-3) to work the short and intermediate routes underneath while Hester stretches the field.

Robiskie has the smarts, attention to detail and work ethic that would be expected from a coach's son, which he is. He has been tutored his entire life by an NFL coach. His father Terry played five years in the NFL as a journeyman running back, and is currently the Atlanta Falcons receivers coach, preparing for his 28th season as an NFL assistant. He was also the Browns' interim head coach for five games in 2004 after Butch Davis resigned.

"He's done so much for me," Robiskie said. "Having him to call when I have a question; he's always been there for me. Just knowing he's here for me means a lot."

Robiskie isn't the most physically gifted player in a draft loaded with big-play wide receivers - not by a long shot. But he's the latest product from a program that has recently produced first-round NFL picks Santonio Holes, Anthony Gonzalez, and Ted Ginn Jr. Robiskie doesn't have blazing speed or elite quickness like some of this year's top receivers such as Percy Harvin or Darrius Heyward-Bey, and he didn't put up sick statistics like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin.

But he'll run more precise routes, learn an NFL playbook quicker, be more effective blocking, and outwork most of the wide receivers drafted ahead of him. And it's not as if Robiskie is strictly a big, slow possession receiver. He had a 37 1/2-inch vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine and runs a 4.48 40. His times in the 20-yard shuttle (4.19) and the three-cone drill (6.72) were above average for wide receivers.

While Robiskie was playing for the Buckeyes, his father was coaching with the Browns, and he had the obvious conflicts that kept him from seeing games in person. But he was always watching, and there were always the postgame critiques.

"He doesn't wait until Sunday; he calls me Saturday," Robiskie said, grinning. "He'll call me Saturday night. I normally don't talk to him too much that week leading up to (a game). I know he's just as busy as I am. But right after the game, I usually have a voice mail or two from him depending on how I played."

Robiskie admits his father is the vocal kind of coach, but he values the feedback.

"He likes to get after you a little bit," Robiskie said. "But I just feel so blessed. To have him coaching the position I play, he sees some things that not everyone can see."

The Bears hope to see Robiskie's name still on their draft board when they make their first pick Saturday.

NFL draft preview: wide receivers

Bob LeGere breaks down the Bears' depth, draft history and top prospects for the April 25-26 NFL draft.

Bears depth chart: This is the weakest area on the team. It might be the weakest group in the NFL. It wasn't improved upon during free agency, unless you consider the loss of Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd to be addition by subtraction. Devin Hester is an improving player, but he isn't considered a No. 1 receiver by anyone outside of Halas Hall. After Hester, there is Rashied Davis, who is a No. 3 or 4 receiver on a good team, and a group of no-names who didn't have a reception among them last season. Current Grade: D.

Bears 10-year draft history at DL

Year: Player (Round)

2008: Earl Bennett (3)

2008: Marcus Monk (7)

2005: Mark Bradley (2)

2005: Airese Currie (5)

2004: Bernard Berrian (3)

2003: Bobby Wade (5a)

2003: Justin Gage (5b)

2002: Jamin Elliott (6)

2001: David Terrell (1)

2001: John Capel (7)

2000: Dez White (3)

1999: D'Wayne Bates (3b)

1999: Marty Booker (3c)

1999: Sulecio Sanford (7)

Best pick: Booker

Worst pick: Terrell

Rating the top WRs

LeGere's draft position grade: B-plus. This is by far the youngest position in this year's draft, and perhaps the most talented. The top two players are third-year sophomores, and it's possible the first six drafted could all be underclassmen. Those six could all go in the first round, which is ironic because of the way that the best wide receivers have struggled as NFL rookies in recent years. But, as talented as this year's group of pass catchers is, there are questions. Michael Crabtree hasn't been able to run a 40 because of a stress fracture in his left foot that required surgery, so teams have been forced to estimate his speed. A lot of Percy Harvin's production in college was as a ball carrier, but he's considered too small and fragile to do much of that in the NFL. And Hakeem Nicks gained 14 pounds between the NFL Combine and his pro-day workout, giving some teams cause to question his discipline.

Name School Height Weight 40 time Skinny **Michael Crabtree Texas Tech 6-1#8540; 215 4.55 Phenomenal production overshadows uncertainty over foot surgery **Jeremy Maclin Missouri 6-0#8539; 198 4.46 Big-time big-play maker can impact as receiver, runner and returner *Darrius Heyward-Bey Maryland 6-1#189; 210 4.29 Despite awesome size-speed combo didn't put up impressive numbers *Percy Harvin Florida 5-11#8539; 192 4.42 Multipurpose, Hester-type athlete with durability and character concerns *Kenny Britt Rutgers 6-2#8542; 218 4.52 All-time Big East receiving leader is big, tough, strong and productive *Hakeem Nicks North Carolina 6-0#190; 212 4.53 Superb skill set but stock has dropped due to character concerns Brian Robiskie Ohio State 6-2 #8542; 209 4.49 Not flashy, but big, polished, poised and smart with ideal work ethic Mohamed Massaquoi Georgia 6-1#189; 210 4.62 Big, tough and physical but lacks speed and consistent hands Louis Murphy Florida 6-2 #8540; 203 4.34 Raw developmental project with size and speed to be something special Juaquin Iglesias Oklahoma 6-0 #8542; 210 4.49 Got better every year and has soft hands but average speed

* Junior; **Third-year sophomore