Chicago area produces another star receiver in Corey Davis

INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago area is known for producing offensive linemen. For the second consecutive draft, though, it’s also where one of the best receivers calls home.

Western Michigan’s Corey Davis, who attended Wheaton Warrenville South, is among the best receivers in the draft. He is following in the footsteps of Laquon Treadwell, a Crete-Monee graduate who starred at Ole Miss before being selected by the Vikings with the 23rd overall pick in the 2016 draft.

‘‘I don’t know him personally, but I know of him,’’ Davis said of Treadwell during the NFL Scouting Combine. ‘‘He’s a great player. I haven’t really talked to him, but [having] two Chicago receivers that go [in the] first round, that could be pretty good.’’

Davis, the all-time leader for receiving yards in major-college football, might be better than Treadwell. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock rated Davis as the best receiver in his first positional rankings.

But even though Davis is projected to be a top-20 pick, there is a question about his health. He didn’t take part in drills at the combine after having surgery six weeks ago to repair two torn ligaments in his ankle and only will participate in the bench press at Western Michigan’s pro day March 15.

Davis’ goal is to be at full speed by mid-April, when he will hold private workouts for teams. He said he doesn’t think the injury will affect his draft status too much.

‘‘I don’t think it should because my game tape is not too shabby,’’ said Davis, whose brother Titus plays for the Jets. ‘‘I’ll be good by minicamp, so that’s really what matters.’’

Davis, who stands 6-3 and weighs 213 pounds, seems to have the right mentality to overcome his situation. It’s a mentality that dates to high school. Despite being a star for Wheaton Warrenville South, Davis didn’t have any major scholarship offers.

‘‘I would say a big thing that separates me from [others] is my work ethic,’’ said Davis, the Mid-American Conference’s offensive player of the year in 2016. ‘‘My work ethic is something that sets me apart from anyone in the country. I always put in extra work, and that’s probably because I have that chip on my shoulder. I work like I’m the worst receiver in the draft, but my confidence is up there. I know I’m that top guy.’’