With NFL free agency just a few days away, the breakdown of team needs for the 2021 NFL Draft is going to change dramatically with every signing. So take mock drafts with a grain of salt right now.
Take the latest mock draft from NBC Sports Chicago’s Adam Hoge. He has the Bears going on an all-out assault on offense with their first four selections.
In Round 1, Hoge has the Bears taking Virginia Tech offensive tackle, Christian Darrisaw. It’s a great pick, especially in light of the team’s decision to part ways with Bobby Massie. Darrisaw is an absolute stud and a top-10 player on my board. He’d be a great value if he falls to No. 20.
In Round 2 — at No. 52 — he has the Bears landing Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman.
Look, if Chicago comes out of the first two rounds with Darrisaw and Bateman? Consider that a dream come true. But it isn’t going to happen. Bateman is a first-round player and there’s little to no chance he’ll be around at No. 52.
I love the targeted position, but the pick is wishful thinking.
Hoge stays on offense in Round 3 and has the Bears landing Ohio State’s Trey Sermon, a good-looking prospect who has all the traits teams look for in a starting running back.
Chicago has no depth behind David Montgomery (even with a healthy Tarik Cohen coming back) and Sermon, another between-the-tackles banger, would make a ton of sense.
The first quarterback pick for the Bears in this mock happens in Round 5, with Georgia’s Jamie Newman (last played for Wake Forest). More athlete than pure passer, Newman has an NFL backup’s upside who at this point in his career projects as a practice squad guy. Not a great pick.
For Hoge’s complete mock draft and analysis, click here.