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The Chicago Bears have plenty of issues to address on the roster ahead of the 2021 season, which starts on offense. Luckily, the Bears have a first-round pick for the first time in three years. Although, with quarterback rumors swirling, that could change.
Among the issues on offense that needs to be addressed is quarterback, but the Bears don’t pick until 20th. That means, barring trading up, Chicago won’t have its pick of the top-tier quarterbacks.
But there are other issues outside of quarterback. In Touchdown Wire‘s new two-round mock draft, Luke Easterling has the Bears addressing a couple of offensive needs with their first two selections.
With their first-round selection, Easterling has the Bears selecting Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with the 20th overall pick. With issues on the offensive line involving the tackles, Chicago must target the position early and lock down one of the top guys.
Here’s what The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid had to say about Leatherwood:
Leatherwood is a prospect that’s had experience at both guard and offensive tackle. Containing a towering and filled-out frame in many areas, he has adequate strength as a run blocker as he’s able to attach and drive defenders out of desired areas. His aggressiveness is a key ingredient to success in the run game, as he can completely overpower targets that he’s able to square up and land his body cleanly on. As a pass protector, Leatherwood has a clean pass set that’s able to gain ground up the field in order to stymie rushers that simply attack him vertically.
Then, with the 52nd overall pick, Easterling has Chicago drafting Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman in the second round. With Allen Robinson’s future uncertain, targeting a receiver early figures to be in the Bears’ plans. And Bateman certainly has the potential to shine at the pro level.
Here’s what The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs said about Bateman:
Rashod Bateman projects as a starting NFL wide receiver after spending the last three seasons in the Minnesota Golden Gophers program. Bateman offers an impressive blend of route running, ball skills and competitive toughness into a frame that should alleviate any concerns about his projection to working on the boundary.
Bateman does a lot of the little things well, which should theoretically set him up for an early impact at the pro level. Bateman has multiple-Pro Bowl potential with effective quarterback play in the NFL.
Bateman has been compared to Michael Thomas by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, noting “both guys have an ideal blend of size and strength” and “the versatility to play outside or in the slot.”
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