{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"1st round, No. 25 overall* - QB Kellen Mond, Texas A&M","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Kellen-Mond-Texas-AM-USATSI-15389110.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619446413,"caption":"

For the first time in 11 years of doing these Bears mock drafts, I’m finally caving and simulating some draft day trades. Realistically, the draft is full of trades, so we might as well execute a few in Bears Mock Draft 4.0.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars looking for an extra offensive tackle to protect new quarterback Trevor Lawrence, I worked out a trade for the No. 25 and No. 33 overall picks in exchange for the No. 20, No. 52 and No. 204 overall picks. And, after moving back five spots in the first round, I made the move to finally solve the Bears’ quarterback problems. I’m not sure how Bears fans will feel about Kellen Mond in the first round, but I find very little not to like on tape. In Mond, the Bears get an experienced, mobile quarterback with a big arm who increased his completion percentage and improved his decision-making each year at Texas A&M. Consistency is the big question mark and Mond would have to earn the trust of Matt Nagy before taking over the starting duties from Andy Dalton. For a more detailed breakdown on Mond, check out my 2021 quarterback rankings.

"},{"title":"2nd round, No. 33 overall* – WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Elijah-Moore-Ole-Miss-USATSO15139042.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1619446535,"caption":"

Now equipped with the first pick on Friday, the Bears would have a full day to field trade calls and potentially acquire even more picks. In this case, I stood pat and took wide receiver Elijah Moore, who fits what the Bears are looking for. He’s a dynamic weapon in the slot with the skills and production to make an impact right away in Week 1. Volume is the name of the game with Moore. Get him the ball and let him go to work in the offense. He led the FBS in 2020 by averaging 10.8 catches and 149.1 receiving yards per game in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Moore also has return ability, which the Bears need.

"},{"title":"3rd round, No 67 overall* - OT Brady Christensen, BYU ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Brady-Christensen-BYU-USATSI13327082.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1617718555,"caption":"

Still needing an offensive tackle, I made a big move with Houston to add an early third-round pick and selected BYU left tackle Brady Christensen. In doing so, I preserved the No. 83 overall pick by instead trading next year’s second-round pick, with the idea that it will be a late second-round pick anyway. I also had to throw in this year’s No. 208 overall pick to get it done. That’s the tax on the Texans having to wait until next year to use that second rounder.

As for Christensen, he made my “draft crush” team last week after making 38 straight starts at left tackle for BYU over the last three seasons. A consensus All-American, Christensen is hard to ignore when you watch film of Zach Wilson. He’s a big bodied athlete with quick moving feet that allow him to get out on the perimeter. He needs to clean up some of his technique and his arms are on the short side, but he is experienced enough to push for the starting right tackle job right away with the upside of being a mainstay on the left side.

"},{"title":"3rd round, No. 87 overall* - CB Tre Brown, Oklahoma","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Tre-Brown-Oklahoma-USATSI15050095.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1619446570,"caption":"

We’re not done with the trades just yet. After moving up to get Christensen, I moved back four spots with the Pittsburgh Steelers in order to add a fourth-round pick, which the Bears currently do not have in 2021. Once again, I had to throw in one of the four sixth round picks (No. 221) to get the deal done.

Back at No. 87, I selected Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown, who projects as a slot corner at the next level. That’s an underrated need for the Bears right now and Brown has the quickness and ball-hawking ability to be a dangerous slot corner right away. The question will be how quickly he adapts, as he primarily played outside at Oklahoma.

"},{"title":"4th round, No. 140 overall* - WR Simi Fehoko, Stanford","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Simi-Fehoko-Stanford-USATSI15337198.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1619446592,"caption":"

Now equipped with a fourth-round pick, I’m going back to the well with a pick I made in Bears Mock Draft 3.0. As much as the Bears need to add a slot receiver, they also need some insurance with a bigger receiver should Allen Robinson depart next year. Remember, they made a run at Kenny Golladay in March.

Fehoko is big and extremely athletic, but he’s raw and needs development. Due to a two-year church mission out of high school, Fehoko is already 23 and still had two years of college eligibility left before declaring for the NFL Draft. He only played 11 games at Stanford with just five starts. The traits are there though and while Fehoko likely won’t make an instant impact, he could threaten as a starter in 2022.

"},{"title":"5th round, No. 164 overall – DT Khyiris Tonga, BYU ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Khyiris-Tonga-BYU-USATSI14989711.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1617718608,"caption":"

A very fair criticism of this draft would be age, as Tonga is another older prospect. He turns 25 in July. But Tonga should be a quick contributor and an ideal rotational backup to Eddie Goldman at nose tackle. He’s a big space eater who can take on double-teams and surprise you with his ability to get into the backfield.

"},{"title":"6th round, No. 228 overall – QB Feleipe Franks, Arkansas ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Feleipe-Franks-Arkansas-USATSI15343469.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1619446623,"caption":"

Multiple swings at quarterback. Why not? Franks has outstanding size and has good footwork to elude rushers and reset before throwing him. His operation is smooth, and he uncorks some beautiful deep balls. He’s not great off-platform and needs to be more consistent, but there could be some untapped upside left. Franks’ NFL hopes were on life support after getting hurt at Florida in 2019, but he showed a lot of improvement at Arkansas in less than ideal circumstances. He’s worth a flyer with the last pick in the sixth round.

"}]}

NFL Draft 2021: Hoge's Bears Mock Draft 4.0