The questions keep coming. Is there any possible way a jump for a quarterback happens. Plenty of insiders seem to think GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy are considering it. So that is what this latest Chicago Bears 2021 mock draft will focus on. What is the most likely scenario that would see this team jump up for their quarterback of the future?
The information known to this point is clear. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are going #1 and #2 respectively. San Francisco is going to take a quarterback at #3 as well. Many seem to think it will be Mac Jones of Alabama. Nobody can say for sure though. So two of the remaining top five will be available at #4. Could the Bears move up that high? Could one they covet somehow fall to where it’s more feasible to move up?
Let’s see if we can answer that question here.
Chicago Bears 2021 mock draft is focused on that quarterback
*Trade: Bears send 20th pick, 52nd pick, and 1st in 2022 to Panthers for 8th pick and 4th in 2021
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1st Round (8th overall) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Do the Bears really believe they can sell fans on Andy Dalton being the source of hope for 2021? That feels highly unlikely. They signed him to a one-year deal for a reason. He’s a serviceable veteran stopgap. Somebody who can buy them time as they try to find their guy of the future. Allowing Pace and Nagy to jump up for a quarterback with their jobs supposedly on the line sounds crazy. Yet it seems they have the green light if necessary.
Based on pure physical gifts? Fields is the most talented quarterback in this draft. He has a live arm, good size, plenty of speed as a runner, and throws with precise accuracy when given a clean window. He’s also proven himself to be tough and willing to play through pain. There are lingering questions about his ability to process defenses. The Bears are willing to take that risk, hoping to stash him behind Dalton so he can learn.
3rd Round (83rd overall) – Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
Germain Ifedi seems like the favorite to start at right tackle this year. That doesn’t mean the Bears should just hand him the job outright. Not when he’s operating on just a one-year deal. They need to get somebody in who can push him and eventually be his replacement. Chicago hasn’t drafted a tackle in the top three rounds since 2011.
Northern Iowa RT Spencer Brown is 6-8, 311 with an elite athletic profile (6.96s 3-cone). Hardly ever see anyone turn the corner on Brown. Uses his long arm/strides and quick feet to get to set points. First clip is a nice job of chopping down on an inside long arm. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/7uiHnqsI2P
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 14, 2021
Brown is the kind of player equipped to break that streak in a good way. Rest assured if he’d played for a bigger school or simply played at all in 2020? He’d be talked about as a possible top 50 pick. The kid is massive. Huge body but not overly fat. Powerful, quick, and athletic. His run blocking stands out as tone-setting and his pass protection isn’t half bad either. He’s still learning but his upside is high.
4th Round (113th overall) – Austin Watkins, WR, UAB
Watkins is a player not enough people are talking about. Going to a smaller program at Alabama-Birmingham has a lot to do with that. However, the Senior Bowl confirmed this kid has game. His 6’1 frame is built strong. He’ll make those tough catches over the middle and can muscle through the first contact regularly. His route running is improving and while not a burner he has enough speed to keep defenses honest.
5th Round (164th overall) – Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
Canadian-born, St-Juste made it to the American version of football a little later than most. His instincts and feel for the cornerback position aren’t quite there, but his natural ability stood out quite often. Size, athleticism, and speed are all there. He battles with receivers constantly and does a good job tracking the football. His problem is maintaining discipline and fundamentals against better route runners. Something he needs to learn.
*Trade: Bears send WR Anthony Miller to Titans for 166th pick
5th Round (166th overall) – Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
This Bears 2021 mock draft is reaching back to the past here. Both by taking a defensive tackle in the 5th round and one from Florida State. Chicago’s had good fortune with both in the past. See Eddie Goldman and Bilal Nichols. There is a ton to like about Wilson. His size, power, and violent hands flashed quite often in college. What teams aren’t sure about is whether he can master the craft of rushing the passer. He has the ability for it but needs work.
Marvin Wilson is a confirmed bully. Quick, heavy-handed athlete with elite lower-body explosion.
I wonder what the Boise State OL coach's message was to block him? Probably: "Good Luck" pic.twitter.com/fb9eRByVrx
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) December 19, 2019
6th Round (208th overall) – Shaka Toney, EDGE, Penn State
Toney made a living out of being overlooked by people. He was always the second guy of Penn State’s pass rusher tandems. This despite being a good athlete and consistently productive with 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss over his final 21 games. He has the burst and bend of a good pass rusher. It’s a question of his size. He isn’t overly strong, which might relegate him to being a designated pass rusher in the pros. Enough talent is there to explore though.
6th Round (208th overall) – Garrett Wallow, ILB, TCU
Character is something the Bears love to prioritize in their players. Wallow exhibits a ton of quality in that department. He was the captain and undisputed leader of TCU’s defense last season. It showed on and off the field. His instincts and intelligence were also positives along with his athleticism. The problem teams will have with him is his undisciplined playing style which leads to bad angles and missed tackles. Something he can’t afford at his shorter size. He has upside, but should at least be a good special teams player
6’4, 220 and just ran a 4.37 40 at his Pro Day. Stanford’s Simi Fehoko 👀
— The Air Raid Hour (@TheBillsGuys) March 19, 2021
6th Round (221st overall) – Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
The numbers don’t tell the story with this kid. He failed to crack 600 yards in either of his seasons as a starter for the Cardinal. Yet when popping on the tape? He constantly stood out. Every time his QB needed a big catch, Fehoko was the one making it. He has strong hands and great concentration. Being 6’4 is an obvious plus as well. He’ll use that to his advantage often. While not explosively fast, he has enough speed to get deep too.
6th Round (228th overall) – James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
Teams need to know which Wiggins they’re getting. His 2018 tape was outstanding. He looked like an NFL starter with his surprising speed and strength for being just 5’11. His instincts for finding the football stand out. An ACL injury derailed his college career though, missing 2019 and not looking like the same player in 2020. He’s healthy now. If he can return to what he was three years ago, he could be a gem.
