Chicago Bears 7-round Big Swing for a QB Mock Draft

With quarterbacks now expected to go 1-2-3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, that fourth overall selection has been generating a lot of buzz. It’s currently in the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, but reports of several teams looking to trade up has to have them exploring all possibilities.

The Chicago Bears aren’t the only team that could be willing to send a draft haul to the Falcons, as the Washington Football Team, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and the Detroit Lions could all be ready to add a rookie quarterback to the mix. But don’t rule out the Falcons just staying pat and getting Matt Ryan’s heir apparent with the QB4 themselves. They’ll have several options at that spot including tight end Kyle Pitts, wide out Ja’Marr Chase, or whoever their top offensive tackle prospect is, but with teams so desperate for a quarterback they could easily set their franchise up with several high picks.

In my latest theme mock draft I’m going to assume that Bears’ GM Ryan Pace was given the green light to do what ever it takes to get their guy, and that Matt Nagy is fired up to get the 4th QB in this class. So with the top of the Fanspeak Premium Mock Draft Simulator playing out like many are predicting — Trevor Lawrence to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Zach Wilson to the New York Jets, and Mac Jones to the San Francisco 49ers — I sent Chicago’s 20th overall pick in 2021, their third-rounder this year, and two future first-round picks to the Falcons for the 4th overall selection.

That’s a steep price for sure, but in the real world it may cost even more if the Bears are going to outbid the other teams I mentioned above.

For the record, I’d rather the Bears not send so many picks for a rookie QB, but this is the price of doing business, and it sure seems like the Bears have been in the quarterback business all offseason. I think the smart thing for the Bears to do is let the board come to them, but if they are looking to jump way up for a QB, this is the guy I think they’d do it for.

First Round - 4th Overall - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

At one point Fields was the consensus number 2 QB in this class, so it’s certainly possible he goes higher than 4, but for this exercise he’s the guy that “fell,” and he’s also the only quarterback I’d be okay with them trading up for. I’d rather their big QB swing be for an established guy like Russell Wilson, but desperation may be driving the Bears on day one. With the serviceable Andy Dalton signed for a year, the Bears could be patient with Fields.

Second Round - Pick 20 - 52nd Overall - Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

My plan was to trade back with this pick to recoup the third I sent in the Fields deal, but with Radunz sitting atop the board he was too good a prospect to pass up. He may not be able to step in day one and win a starting job, but he has the size (6’5 ½”, 301) and athleticism to grow into the role.

Fifth Round - Pick 20 - 164th Overall - Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

In their 6 games, Fehoko led the Cardinal in receptions (37), yards (574), and receiving TDs (3). His game needs some polish, but he ran a 4.42 forty at his pro day, and he knows how to play big at 6’4”, 222 pounds.

Sixth Round - Pick 20 - 204th Overall - Joshuah Bledsoe, S, Missouri

The Bears brought back 2016 draft picks Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson, but they could use some youth at safety, and Bledsoe’s experience playing nickel could help him push for a roster spot.

Sixth Round - Pick 24 - 208th Overall - Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida

With Anthony Miller on the trade block, Javon Wims’ roster spot far from guaranteed, and Allen Robinson playing on the tag, I could see the Bears double dipping on day 3 at receiver. Grimes is another big body (6’4”, 220) with good speed (4.5 forty).

Sixth Round - Pick 37 - 221st Overall - Antonio Phillips, CB, Ball State

You can never have enough corners, so getting another is highly likely in the 2021 NFL Draft for the Bears. Phillips is a physical player that could grow into a special teams role while working on his craft at corner.

Sixth Round - Pick 44 - 228th Overall - Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE, Oregon State

You can also never have enough pass rushers, so getting a guy that had 14 sacks in 2019, who ran a 4.6 forty at his pro day, and who checked in at 6’3”, 251 pounds, is a nice developmental prospect. He’d like to forget his 2020 season, but he flashed enough at the Senior Bowl to remind scouts just how much potential he has.

You can check out my previous Theme Mock Drafts here (strict BPA), here (all o-line), and here (trade up to 13 for a QB then grab another on day 3).