2021 NFL Draft: Bears targets round-by-round
Chicago is in a quandary trying to figure out its quarterbacking situation and resolve myriad fiscal impediments. The pandemic is affecting scouting and the mercurial NFL quarterback carousel is complicating trades by escalating values at the most important position. Anybody suggesting they have all the answers clearly doesn't have all the questions. Enjoy our attempt at a "Bears' Big Board", and see if it meets your expectations or raises your concerns.
PROJECTED: First Round
Chicago desperately needs a bookend presence they can depend on and not have to worry about for the next ten years. Mayfield embodies NFL level athleticism and spatial awareness to protect a quarterback’s blindside or effectively block downfield. He is a versatile athlete with an incredibly high ceiling who's only scratched the surface of his potential.
PROJECTED: First Round
Leatherwood could have been a late first round pick, to high second round selection in last year's draft. A sound technician that can play either tackle position, Leatherwood has few if any holes in his approach to blocking. Chicago would be getting a pro-ready, day one starter.
PROJECTED: First Round
Eichenberg wins with sound fundamentals and a concentrated approach to assignment football. He projects better as a right tackle who can enhance a team's running attack. If Chicago continues its run/play-action offensive approach, then Eichenberg is an immediate impact starter.
PROJECTED: Second Round
Jones' production this past season suggests he possesses first round talent, however, his lack of athleticism may keep him from being a day one selection. If he's available, Chicago would be hard pressed to ignore his accuracy and in-game processing ability. He's a national champion and played more than 13 games, which is more than the last guy could say.
PROJECTED: Second Round
Radunz doesn't cheat himself when he pile drives into defenders with a physicality that's refreshing, especially if you like seeing trampled bodies. Although he plays in a lesser collegiate division (FCS), Radunz can and will excel at the NFL level. Aside from his nasty, on-field demeanor, he executes blocks with leverage and balance, which is exactly what the Bears need.
PROJECTED: Second Round
Chicago's primary receiver the last three years, Allen Robinson is an unrestricted free agent. Allen Robinson is unhappy. The Bears are fiscally strapped and may not be able to afford Robinson. Bear fans are unhappy. So, Chicago may counter by drafting Terrace Marshall Jr., a productive pass catcher (23 touchdowns in 19 games) with size, length and long speed.
PROJECTED: Third Round
Brown is arguably one of the top five most explosive playmakers at wide receiver, in this year's draft. Over the past two seasons, he's averaged 20 yards per reception, while totaling 20 receiving scores. He plays with next level burst and balance and will make defenders dizzy with his joystick moves in the open field.
PROJECTED: Third Round
The son of a former NFL defensive back, Samuel Jr. moves with confident fluidity in coverage, and is almost never out of position. Chicago can use a slot cover corner, and Samuel Jr. is versatile enough to do that, plus defend as a boundary defensive back. Loose hips and quick feet enable him to excel in man coverage and neutralize quick twitch receivers.
PROJECTED: Third Round
Molden hits like a safety, but his size suggests a NFL role as a nickle-slot defensive back. His spatial awareness is off the charts ( four interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2019) and he instinctually out maneuvers both receivers and quarterbacks like a chess master. This young man projects very well at the next level and Chicago seems like a natural fit.
PROJECTED: Third Round
Chicago has been renting safeties the past couple of years to pair with Eddie Jackson in the defensive backfield. Drafting Ford provides the Bears with a cost controlled playmaker, whose versatility allows Chicago's new defensive coordinator schematic options. Ford recorded six interceptions and 10 pass breakups in the past two seasons.
PROJECTED: Fifth Round
What would a Ryan Pace draft be without a selection from the University of Georgia? Suffice to say, Monty Rice would be an excellent choice for Pace and the Bears because his body type and style of play is very similar to current inside linebacker, Danny Trevathan. Rice is adept in man coverage and can sift through traffic to secure tackles.
PROJECTED: Fifth Round
Call it kismet, or serendipity, but drafting Bears' defensive line coach, Chris Rumph's son could be fortuitous for Chicago. Rumph II is a versatile edge rusher with outside linebacking athleticism, who makes impact plays. In his last 24 games he's generated 14.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.
PROJECTED: Fifth Round
The Bears have been watching the Vikings' receiver, Adam Thielen torch the NCF North (12 touchdown receptions) for several years. Surratt runs routes similarly to Thielen, but is a bigger faster target. If Chicago doesn't re-sign Robinson and haven't chosen a replacement before this spot, then Surratt would present as a suitable candidate.
PROJECTED: Fifth Round
Fitzpatrick is a durable, steadying producer at the receiver position ( 16.8 yards per reception / 21 receiving scores ) and is as dependable as they come. Chicago may elect to get a free agent quarterback because they need to win now, and Ryan Fitzpatrick could play for his ninth professional team. Imagine watching a passing connection of Fitzpatrick to Fitzpatrick.
PROJECTED: Fifth Round
I'm not sure if his name translates to "heavenly devil," but the amount of mischief and disruption Deablo causes in pass coverage could be a blessing for the Bears. He possesses intriguing size at the safety position (6-3, 223 lbs) and his raw upside speaks to Pace's inclination to draft athletes.
PROJECTED: Sixth Round
Kraemer has the size to play tackle in the NFL (6-6, 319 lbs), but is versatile enough to execute soundly as an interior blocker. Chicago may be interested in Kraemer especially since incumbent center, Sam Mustipher is also a Notre Dame alum. Their shared developmental background could pay dividends in the future.
PROJECTED: Sixth Round
Pace seems to relish drafting small school players and watching them compete at the pro level. Meinerz is a powerfully stout, versatile interior blocker who demonstrated how impactful an offensive lineman he can be at this year's Senior Bowl. Having never played center at Whitewater, he performed seamlessly and increased his draft stock exponentially.
PROJECTED: Sixth Round
Moore is another small school entrant at the Senior Bowl, whose standout performance throughout the week prior to the game was noticed. Voted most outstanding offensive lineman by his peers on the defensive side of the ball, Moore projects the type of affordable upside a general manager like Chicago's Ryan Pace salivates over.
PROJECTED: Sixth Round
Mitchell is similar in size to Kareem Hunt and displays versatile run/pass catching abilities like the former AFC Rookie of the Year (2017). Head Coach Matt Nagy coached Hunt and probably envisions his offense working more effectively and efficiently with a skilled back such as Mitchell. A combination of Mitchell with Montgomery would be extremely difficult to defend.
PROJECTED: Sixth Round
Stevenson is a runaway bowling ball who attacks defenders like indiscriminate pins set up to be knocked over. Powerful but elusive, Srevenson has a career yards per carry average ( 7.2 ) that speaks to his effective running style. When it comes to short yardage situations, or goal line decisions, Stevenson alleviates the need for second guessing.
PROJECTED: Seventh Round
Deng is a lengthy, athletic linebacker that is a tackling machine. During the 2019 season, he ranked 13th in the nation with 121 total tackles. Playing in the PAC-12 conference, Deng's season was truncated and his four games played may have been done so in relative obscurity. Pace, however loves obscure players, so Deng may find himself competing in Chicago.
PROJECTED: Seventh Round
Once upon a time, Pace drafted a running back from Indiana (Jordan Howard) who in two short seasons recorded more rushing yards ( 2,345 ) than any Bear in team history. If this is Pace's final season as Chicago's general manager, then he might want to recreate his former success by drafting Scott, and his 30 rushing touchdowns in 31 games played.
PROJECTED: Seventh Round
It’s almost impossible to take an offensive lineman from Iowa and him not succeed in the NFL. Jackson may not be as acclaimed as many of his predecessors, but he is an effective blocker. He's quick and powerful, but struggles against edge rushers that convert speed to power with their angled approach to the quarterback. He could provide quality line depth for Chicago.
PROJECTED: Seventh Round
If there's anything detractors of Pace will immediately point to is his abysmal draft record regarding quarterbacks. He promised selecting a signal caller every draft and to date Mitchell Trubisky has been the only one chosen. Ouch. So, with his last pick for 2021, why not take a chance on the improving, athletically gifted Franks, a two-way player with a big arm.
PROJECTED: Seventh Round
If Ehlinger lasts this long, he'll no doubt comfort himself with knowing 43 year old, Tom Brady was a late round selection, too. Ehlinger plays with heart and determination to compensate for an average arm and questionable accuracy. He has a NFL body to help withstand the rigors of the pro game, and is a solid leader. He could be the diamond in the rough Pace needs to help atone for Trubisky.
