The Chicago Bears have a lot of holes to fill on offense over the next two months, and their first crack at upgrading the roster will come in free agency, which kicks off on March 17 (legal tampering begins March 15.)
But the best route for GM Ryan Pace to go in his effort to restore the Bears’ championship hopes is the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s how the core of championship teams are built, and it’s how the Bears should focus on restocking a critical aspect of their football team: offensive tackle.
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay published his pre-free agency mock draft on Friday and if his pick comes to fruition, the Bears will check offensive tackle off their list of needs.
At No. 20 overall, McShay has the Bears taking Virginia Tech offensive tackle, Christian Darrisaw.
“The Bears still lack an answer at quarterback, and what happens with wide receiver Allen Robinson II over the next few weeks could also impact the direction of this pick. But the line needs shoring up,” McShay wrote, “and Darrisaw is a powerful left tackle who doesn’t give up many sacks and can get to the second level as a run-blocker. Let’s buy whoever starts at QB some more time and open up lanes for running back David Montgomery.”
Sign me up for this pick. I have Darrisaw rated as a top-10 prospect in the 2021 class and the second-best offensive tackle this year behind only Oregon’s Penei Sewell. If he slips to the 20th pick, the Bears should waste little time calling his name, barring the unlikely scenario that a quarterback falls too.
Darrisaw’s a big-bodied mauler who presents as an immediate upgrade over both Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie. Regardless of which incumbent the Bears decide to keep, Darrisaw would immediately slide into the starting lineup and be an instant upgrade for an offensive line that’s in desperate need of one.