Watching the Monday night game in Los Angeles was a chore for fans. That tends to happen when the offense manages a whopping three points. Everybody was under the spotlight after that mess. Especially head coach Matt Nagy. However, not everything was completely awful. Once again the Chicago Bears 2020 draft class came to play.
Let it be reminded here. The Bears went into this year without 1st, 3rd, or 4th round picks due to prior trades. Trying to manufacture a decent return under those conditions is exceedingly difficult. Especially when a team like Chicago finishes 8-8 and most of their picks are in the middle of every round.
Early returns show they may have pulled it off.
Three players have emerged from the 2020 class with a lot of excitement. None more so than Jaylon Johnson. The 50th pick of the draft has played like the best rookie cornerback in the entire class with nine passes defender through his first six games. Not much changed in L.A. to change those feelings. Jared Goff targeted him three times all night and only completed one pass.
Top pick Cole Kmet had his best game yet as a Bear, making two catches for 42 yards and showcasing that two-way ability that made him so tantalizing at Notre Dame. Perhaps the most exciting development is 5th round pick Darnell Mooney. Once again the speedy receiver flashed multiple times. He had three catches for 40 yards but there were a few instances he should’ve had way more.
Including this absolute dusting of All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.
The Chicago Bears 2020 draft class can be special
People need to understand that this shouldn’t be happening. None of it makes sense. The Bears had no 1st round pick. They also had no minicamps, OTAs, or preseason. This 2020 year was tailor-made for rookies across the board to struggle. Instead, the Bears found three instant contributors who have a boatload of upside.
Johnson is already one of the better cover corners in the NFL. Mooney is second on the team in receiving yards. Kmet is becoming an established blocker and has 65 yards with a touchdown in his last two games. It can be hard feeling optimistic about the Bears these days despite their 5-2 record. This development is one of those reasons to feel genuine excitement.
The big question is whether Pace can build on it.
It’s not yet a guarantee the GM is back but the general belief around the league is that will be the case. He’s had trouble stacking good drafts together. His 2019 crop is fast proving to be a disappointment. David Montgomery is a decent player but hardly noteworthy at this point. Nobody else from that class has made any sort of impact.
This Chicago Bears 2020 draft offers hope this team could propel themselves forward with another solid run next April. For the first time since 2017, Pace will have all three of his top draft choices. If he can deliver again? Then the future of this team could be in much better shape than it is now.