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The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft will finally kick off tonight, and in a matter or hours we’ll all know what the Chicago Bears have up their sleeves.
The last couple days have seen several Draftniks put out their final mock drafts before the real deal takes place, so let’s check in on what a few of them had to say. ;
20. Chicago Bears - Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Moore is rising over the past few weeks, and he could make an instant impact out of the slot. This pick could also be an offensive tackle.
Wide receiver is a need, but not in the first round. Moore should be a fantastic pro, but the Bears shouldn’t do this.
20. Chicago Bears - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
If they can’t replace quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bears will look to help him. Darrisaw could slide in at left tackle. And because he has power and is a smooth mover, he’d provide a boost for leading rusher David Montgomery in the run game.
I’m a big fan of Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins, but if Darrisaw slides to 20 he should be the pick.
Round 1 - Pick 20 - Christian Darrisaw OL, Virginia Tech • JR • 6’5” / 314 LBS
The Bears could try to trade up for a QB or wait to get one in Round 2. Here they could target offensive line or wide receiver and we have them going with O-line to protect current QB1 Andy Dalton.
Not sure why Darrisaw is back to being available for the Bears in these recent mocks, but it could happen.
Round 1 - Pick 20 - Teven Jenkins OL, Oklahoma State • SR • 6’6” / 320 LBS
They need help up front and Jenkins will bring a mean streak to playing right tackle. They could also inquire about moving up to get a quarterback.
20. Chicago Bears — Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
A few teams have expressed concern with Jenkins, but if the Bears want to upgrade the right tackle position, he makes sense here as a plug-and-play starter.
Brad Biggs from the Chicago Tribune
Pick: North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (at No. 4 via a trade with Falcons)
Comment: Some believe Lance offers the highest upside of any quarterback in the class. The risk is his floor could be the lowest. He’s the ideal candidate to sit and learn if the Bears believe Andy Dalton can perform as Alex Smith did in Kansas City after Patrick Mahomes was drafted.
20 - Chicago Bears - Greg Newsome II, Northwestern · CB
The Bears could use offensive line help, but they also need to fill the void left by Kyle Fuller. GM Ryan Pace doesn’t have to travel far to find Newsome, who fits the bill.
If the Bears do go defense there could be a couple starting caliber corners at 20.
20 - Chicago Bears - Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State · OT
Jenkins has good tape at tackle and fills a massive need for the Bears.
20 - Chicago Bears - Kadarius Toney, Florida · WR
With a lot of the same skills Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson possesses, Toney gives the Chicago offense a speed receiver to help stretch the field
Pass.
Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News
20. Chicago Bears - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The Bears are in the market for some kind of offensive line impact and getting the prototypical right tackle to be a rock for the running game with a smooth-enough frame for pass protection is a smart move as they can land a value wide receiver later
No. 20 Chicago Bears (Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State)
The Bears stay at No. 20 and build around a future quarterback. Offensive tackle is a huge need for this team and considering Charles Leno Jr. is a free agent at the end of this season, they could easily face a situation where they don’t have a single starting quality tackle under contract moving into next off-season.
20 Chicago Bears - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
A nasty, powerful and physically gifted force at the right tackle position, Jenkins would instantly bring a mean edge to Chicago’s offensive line that has arguably been lacking since Kyle Long’s prime. Jenkins brings precise footwork in pass protection and the intelligence needed to block in zone effectively and pick up twists and blitzes consistently.