The Chicago Bears’ 2021 NFL Draft needs have been impacted, even if slightly, by their moves in free agency, including the decision to sign QB Andy Dalton and move on from cornerback Kyle Fuller, bringing less of a focus on quarterback in Round 1 and potentially a greater need for a defensive back with their first pick.
In this post-free agency mock draft, I take a swing at which players the Bears could realistically target in each round when the 2021 NFL draft kicks off on April 29.
Round 1: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Bateman has been a popular pick for the Bears throughout draft season and I don’t think there’s any reason to move off of that narrative, especially after Chicago was all-in on the Kenny Golladay sweepstakes.
Like Golladay, Bateman is a bigger-bodied pass-catcher who can make plays on all three levels of the passing game. He’d provide the Bears with peace of mind entering 2022 as well, considering Robinson will once again be entering unrestricted free agency at the end of next year.