This will be the last Chicago Bears 2021 mock draft of the year. The fun is finally about to begin, so it’s about time we got serious. No more projecting what GM Ryan Pace should do based on various possibilities. It’s time to take a legitimate crack at predicting what he will do. Where will his focus be from beginning to end in this draft? The culmination of research and all the rumors will be factored in.

Not just Pace’s preferences but that of Matt Nagy and his coaching staff. What are they looking for at positions of need? It was actually more straightforward than expected. Granted, a lot of things must fall into place for this scenario to unfold but there is a nice mix between possibility and plausibility. All of it coming together to put forth what seems like a fairly strong draft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXCYiU5MI1I&t=5s&ab_channel=SportsProductions

Chicago Bears 2021 mock draft and getting serious

Trade: 20th pick, 52nd pick, and 1st in 2022 to Broncos for 9th pick and 114th pick

1st Round (9th overall) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Remember that Nagy came from Kansas City. He saw their plan at quarterback play out to perfection in 2017 and 2018. They started an established veteran in Alex Smith and put a ridiculously talented kid behind him in Patrick Mahomes to learn. After a year, Mahomes was elevated and now rules the AFC. The Bears are in a position to mimic that same blueprint with Andy Dalton playing the role of Smith and Fields being the immense talent who sits behind him to learn. Fields has everything a team could want: size, arm strength, speed, accuracy, and toughness. Every concern raised about him feels nitpicky. So if the Bears grab him at #9, they may be getting a steal.

3rd Round (83rd overall) – Walker Little, OT, Stanford

The pandemic really hurt the draft hopes for Little. Prior to its onset, he was one of the rising stars at the tackle position in college. A massive blocker at 6’7 with the athleticism NFL teams look for. He is stout in pass protection and moves well in the running game. The problem is he had a knee issue that remains a mystery and some consider him to be underpowered based on his tape. That is something that can be fixed with strength work. If the knee is healthy, this guy is going to be an above-average tackle in the NFL.

Doesn’t fully count (holding penalty) but damn I love this ability after the catch from Kawaan Baker. pic.twitter.com/ZyzqzYCd70

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 4, 2020

4th Round (114th overall) – Kawaan Baker, WR, South Alabama

One thing about Pace in his long tenure with the team? He almost always loves to grab a prospect from a smaller school in the middle rounds. It’s become somewhat of a tradition. Deiondre Hall in 2016, Jordan Morgan in 2017, Bilal Nichols in 2018, and Kindle Vildor last year. Kawaan Baker will further that tradition here from South Alabama. He exhibits multiple traits that this Bears coaching staff covets. Explosive speed, quickness, sharp feet, and route-running prowess. Can he handle the jump in competition and learn to play with better concentration? These are questions he’ll have to answer.

5th Round (164th overall) – Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota

Here’s a fun nugget. The Bears have taken a defensive back in the 4th or 5th round in four of the past six drafts under Pace. That speaks to a trend. Clearly, he thinks that is a good place to find value at those positions. He strikes again here. St-Juste is limited in terms of experience but he’s learned the game fast during his time in college. He’s athletic with good length and enough speed to handle man coverage duties against most receivers. His competitiveness shows on tape as well. What he needs to learn is better discipline against strong route runners who too often exploit his inexperience.

6th Round (204th overall) – Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

While speed is a necessary emphasis in this Bears 2021 mock draft and has been this offseason, the team is also lacking in terms of capable big receivers. Usually, younger quarterbacks do better when they have sizable targets to increase the catch radius. With Allen Robinson uncertain beyond 2021, it would be wise to add another big target for Fields. Fehoko doesn’t get a lot of hype coming from Stanford but every time one turns on the tape, he seems to be the one making the big catches. The guy just wills the ball to come his way. Every bit of 6’4 with strong hands and underrated long speed.

Duke's Chris Rumph has speed in bunches off the edge pic.twitter.com/mgjB1oasY6

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 8, 2021

6th Round (208th overall) – Chris Rumph II, EDGE, Duke

Playing for a basketball school and being lighter and shorter than ideal as a pass rusher is why Rumph II goes in the 6th round. The Bears aren’t fooled though. They employ the father of this young man and he knows exactly what his son is capable of. This kid is a natural at finding his way into the opposing backfield. He’s athletic, quick, and explosive. A smart defensive coordinator will be able to move him around the chessboard to find matchups to exploit, creating havoc in protections.

6th Round (221st overall) – Isaiah McDuffie, ILB, Boston College

Players like this tend to overachieve. McDuffie is a smart and instinctive player who is the energy guy on his defense. He leads the way and shows his work ethic with the plays he can make. Teams will be concerned about his size though, and the fact he tends to get out of control too often. Improving his discipline will be a focal point moving forward. The Bears haven’t had issues with undersized inside linebackers. He could make for a nice developmental guy who should embrace a special teams role.

6th Round (228th overall) – Ar’Darius Washington, S, TCU

If ever there was a player who fit the saying, “If only he was three inches taller,” it’s Washington. At 5’8, it will be a tough sell for any team to draft him as a safety in the NFL. Nobody will buy that his body can stand up to the pounding at that position and he’ll be at a constant disadvantage against bigger receivers and tight ends. Yet the guy is impossible not to like. His instincts stand out constantly. Wherever the football goes, he’s close by. He holds his own in coverage and hits way harder than somebody of his frame should be able to.