The Athletic released a new NFL mock draft for 2021 on Tuesday, and it offered a unique spin on what the Chicago Bears could do in the first round of April’s draft.
At number 20 overall, Bears beat Chicago writer Adam Jahns select Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, who would qualify as a major theft on my board. I currently have Darrisaw rated as a top 10 player, so landing him 20th pick is extremely good value for a position in dire need of the Bears on the way to 2021.
Taking a quarterback was definitely a consideration, but $ 10 million was also invested in Andy Dalton. He’s the Bears’ starting quarterback for 2021, or at least that’s what he was told during his hiring at a free agency. Regardless, it’s best not to force the choice, although the Bears have in the past. This is a great year for offensive tackles, and the Bears need to make sure they get one. Cornerback is on the table after Kyle Fuller’s departure, but the Bears are clearly shifting resources from defense to attack. Selecting Darrisaw is part of that process. Charles Leno Jr. and Germain Ifedi become temporary attackers until Darrisaw is ready.
The most interesting aspect of this mock design is what the Bears do next. According to Jahns, Chicago could go back to round one – in this case to pick No. 30 – ahead of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, should he experience a draft day slide like this projection suggests.
The Bears could be patient and let their QB search in the draft continue until the second round. Kellen Mouth from Jones and Texas A&M could be available. But again, the wait to dial # 52 can be a long time. GM Ryan Pace doesn’t like to do that. Ironically, this trade is made with the team that just signed Mitch Trubisky as a backup. But that does not matter. The bills could have Trubisky. The Bears are heading into the 2021 season and beyond. Jones is worth the shot late in the first round. Dalton also said he would be okay with taking on a mentoring role. By drafting Jones, Pace and coach Matt Nagy may also be able to extend their stay in Chicago. Young quarterbacks are always changing situations and expectations.
While it would be a dream scenario for the Bears to get a blue-chip left tackle and high-quality quarterback prospect from the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, it’s just not going to happen. Jones is highly unlikely to slip past the Patriots at No. 15 overall, and there are plenty of reports to suggest that the 49ers are very interested in Jones at No. 12.
He doesn’t make it to number 30.
Yet this is what mock concepts are for; create scenarios that we might not otherwise think of. Maybe the Bears won’t trade back to Round 1 for Jones, as he will be long gone, but that doesn’t mean they won’t rate another quarterback highly enough to try and knock over a few teams at the top of Round 2 to land. their husband.
The next level of quarterback prospects are topped off by Florida-based Kyle Trask and Stanford’s Davis Mills. Neither has a first round, but both can be in play in the middle of Day 2. Chances are, they’ll both be on the board when the bears pick in the second round, even making them a trade. less likely.
But remember: this is GM Ryan Pace we’re talking about. When it comes to quarterbacks, anything is possible.