[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Pro Football Focus took a crack at re-drafting the 2020 NFL draft, where Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were both selected in the first round to NFC North rivals.
With the 22nd overall pick, the Minnesota Vikings originally selected wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who went third to the Detroit Lions in this re-draft. Instead, PFF has Minnesota drafting Johnson, who originally was the 50th overall selection, in this re-draft.
This selection doesn’t fill the Vikings’ need for a wide receiver to pair with Adam Thielen, but Minnesota has also had a revolving cast of cornerbacks in recent years. Johnson has responded well to the No. 1 role he’s been forced into on the outside. There’s still some room for growth, but Johnson has been active at the catch point for Chicago, as his 15.3% forced incompletion rate ranks sixth among 64 cornerbacks with at least 100 targets since 2020.
The Green Bay Packers originally drafted quarterback Jordan Love with the 26th overall selection, which spurned quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In this re-draft, the Packers give Rodgers the wide receiver he wanted in Mooney, who was originally a fifth-round selection.
Mooney isn’t best suited as the No. 1 option he currently is in Chicago, but he does represent a nice complementary piece to a passing attack that can stress defenses vertically. Mooney’s 0.4 wins above a replacement since 2020 rank sixth among wide receivers in the draft class — just behind Claypool in Pittsburgh.
Both Johnson and Mooney are cornerstones for this franchise moving forward. And it’s safe to say Chicago got a steal in both of them.
[listicle id=509362]
[listicle id=509365]