Western Michigan’s Braverman picked by Bears

Published 6:24 pm Saturday, April 30, 2016

KALAMAZOO — Western Michigan had its second player selection in this year’s NFL Draft as junior wide receiver Daniel Braverman was the ninth selection in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears.

This is the 10th time in program history and first since 2012 that the Broncos have had multiple selections in the same draft. Earlier on Saturday, Willie Beavers was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round.

Braverman is coming off a season in which he was tied for second in the country in receptions, finishing with 108 receptions for 1,367 yards and 13 TDs. For his career, Braverman finished with 212 receptions for 2,503 yards and 19 TDs.

Braverman is now the 12th college receiver under head coach P.J. Fleck to play in the NFL, joining the likes of names such as Ted Ginn Jr., Brian Hartline, Anthony Gonzalez, Mohamed Sanu and current Bronco WR coach Matt Simon. Fleck also coached wide receivers during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012, mentoring NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson (72 rec., 1,384 yards, 8 TD) and Mike Williams (63 rec. 996 yards and 9 TD).

This season Braverman teamed with fellow junior Corey Davis to become the first FBS WR duo since 2008 to each go over the 1,300 yard mark. Davis ended 2015 fourth in the country in receiving yards with 1,436, good for second most in program history.

He led the best turnaround in college football in 2014, as the Broncos went from one win in 2013 to eight in 2014. He had 86 catches for 997 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore.