The Chicago Bears are focused on the veteran market at present. No doubt driven by their desire to find a quarterback. Yet a healthy chunk of the scouting and front office staffs are working hard on the upcoming NFL draft. One that could see them return to the 1st round since 2021. It could be the most important draft for many in that building. One where plenty of jobs hang in the balance.

What makes it even more challenging is the restrictions. Not only did several prospects not play a full season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s made even worse with the scouting combine and personal team visits being canceled. That means the Bears must put even more effort into finding the right guys. In such cases, inside information can be worth its weight in gold.

The Bears do happen to have a number of connections to this 2021 college class. Here are a few names to keep in mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ6YYdtbXNs&ab_channel=TheGameHaus

Chicago Bears have ties to a number of quality draft talents

Jalen Mayfield (OT, Michigan)

The Bears are in the market for offensive line help. Ask any self-respecting expert about the team and that’s the second position group they’d bring up after quarterback. Both their tackles didn’t play well in 2021. The time is right for a change. If they manage to hang onto their 1st round pick, then Mayfield will be a guy they could end up looking hard at.

One guy who knows the big Michigan tackle well is Juan Castillo. The Bears offensive line coach spent the 2019 season with the Wolverines as an assistant on Jim Harbaugh’s staff. He got a full evaluation of Mayfield during that time. So he probably has a pretty good idea of how good this kid is. Power? Mobility? Nastiness? He has all the tools.

Brendan Jaimes (OT, Nebraska)

Bill McGovern was out of the NFL in 2020 before joining the Bears staff as their inside linebackers coach. During that year-long hiatus, he latched on at Nebraska as an analyst for the Huskers. Though a defensive guy by background, he’ll have gotten plenty of V.I.P treatment to Jaimes. Nebraska doesn’t have a lot of top prospects this year but the tackle has a number of positive traits from size to power in the run game. His pass protection is also sound. He could be somebody who plays inside or outside based on team need.

Trey Smith (OG, Tennessee)

The Chicago Bears haven’t really been the bully on offense in a long time. They need more guys up front who rejoice in that mentality. Smith is the perfect example. He’s big, powerful, and absolutely embraces every opportunity to maul defensive linemen. The guy destroys worlds. His athleticism is also solid enough to handle pass protection.

Tennessee OG 73 Trey Smith goal line peter roll. pic.twitter.com/muo9FClLfr

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) October 30, 2017

If not for a scary brush with blood clot issues, he’d be a top guard prospect in this draft. One guy who’s seen his work personally? New defensive line coach Chris Rumph. He had to coach against the guy every day in practice. It’s a safe bet he knows what Smith can do for Chicago on Sundays.

Jermar Jefferson (RB, Oregon State)

Running back won’t be a priority for the Bears in this draft but that doesn’t mean they will ignore it completely. If the right guy is there at the right price, they may look to add to their backfield. One name they just got a ton of information on with little effort is Jefferson. This courtesy of his running backs coach Michael Pitre who signed on to take the same position in Chicago after the departure of Charles London. Jefferson was a quality jack-of-all-trades back who could do a bit of everything, racking up 3,222 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns in 27 games.

Penn State's Pat Freiermuth is a bully, probably best to just get out of his way.pic.twitter.com/q8KdQYcwNa

— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) June 4, 2020

Pat Freiermuth (TE, Penn State)

After drafting Cole Kmet in the 2nd round last year, would the Chicago Bears actually consider going high at tight end again? If Pat Freiermuth is on the board at the right time, they should. The guy is a definite matchup problem in the passing game. Big, athletic, and a savvy route runner. Defenses struggle to handle him regardless of the situation but especially in the red zone. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor saw that first hand in 2019 when he was an analyst at Penn State. Freiermuth had 507 yards and seven touchdowns that year. He and Kmet would be quite a tandem.

Chris Rumph II (EDGE, Duke)

That name should be a dead giveaway to who the young man is connected to. D-line coach Chris Rumph does indeed have a son and he plays for Duke. He also happens to be pretty good too. While a bit undersized as edge rushers go, he’s a master of defensive line technique (big surprise) and also a standout athlete. The Blue Devils moved him all over the line and he kept finding ways into the backfield. The past two years he had 14.5 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss. He is a rare type who can play off the ball or on the edge depending on the situation.