The Chicago Bears are 5-5. They’ve lost four games in a row. They have no quarterback and the offense is one of the worst the franchise has fielded in decades.
So, it’s only natural for fans to sneak a peek at the 2021 NFL draft and the mock drafts that are being published from analysts and experts in the industry.
The failures of Nick Foles and the expected departure of Mitch Trubisky at the end of the season will leave the Bears desperate for a new quarterback in 2021, and the most logical destination to land one is the 2021 draft. The latest three-round mock draft from the Draft Network seems to agree.
In this mock draft, the Bears address offensive line, quarterback, and wide receiver with their first three selections.
In Round 1, Chicago lands Virginia Tech offensive tackle, Christian Darrisaw.
The Chicago Bears see four quarterbacks go in front of their pick here at No. 16 and don’t likely feel very swell about that. But what they get instead is another one of the NFL draft’s biggest risers with their pick here in Christian Darrisaw. Darrisaw has illustrated the ability to piece together all of the tools this season and is making a strong statement in the race for OT2—and the Bears’ offensive line could certainly use a boost no matter who is throwing the ball around in the pocket.
The worst thing the Bears can do is reach for a quarterback. If all four first-round prospects — Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance — are off the board by the time Chicago picks (which in this mock is 16th overall), pivoting to the offensive line is a logical next step. Aside from quarterback, the offensive line is undoubtedly the Bears’ biggest need and will be in play in the first round.
In Round 2, the Bears do get a passer in Florida’s Kyle Trask, who’s enjoying a senior season reminiscent of last year’s first-overall pick, Joe Burrow, albeit on a smaller scale.
Trask began the 2020 season as a respected quarterback prospect who graded as a solid Day-2 pick, but no one could’ve predicted the success he’d enjoy this fall. He’s thrown 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions in seven games and is inching closer and closer to first-round status. If the Bears are able to land him in the second round, after securing a blue-chip offensive lineman in Round 1, it’d be a home run.
As for Round 3? The Bears fill a potential need at wide receiver (if Allen Robinson departs via free agency) with Wake Forest pass-catcher, Sage Surratt.
Surratt opted-out of the 2020 college season but was considered one of the top players at his position over the summer. Surratt had 66 catches for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019.