The Chicago Bears have a 1st round pick for the first time since 2018. This has fans understandably excited. The big question will be what they end up using it on. Several possibilities are on the table. They could trade it as part of a package for a veteran quarterback or simply use the pick itself on one. However, it appears Mel Kiper of ESPN would advise against that idea.
The longtime draft expert released his first official mock draft of 2021 on Tuesday. It came with a few surprises. None bigger than how the quarterbacks shake out. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t appear any of the top five names could end up getting within sniffing distance of the Bears at the 20th overall pick. Four are gone by the seventh pick with the fifth (Alabama’s Mac Jones) landing in New England at #15.
So who does this leave the Bears with? Not a terrible consolation prize.
“Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
This is a really strong offensive tackle class, and we could see a run on them in the 20s. Jenkins started at both right tackle and left tackle for the Cowboys, and he was having a stellar season before he opted out in late November. At 6-6, 310 pounds, he has long arms and there are no questions about his size to play tackle.”
The reality is the Bears need offensive line help. Especially at tackle. Germain Ifedi is a free agent and Bobby Massie failed to finish the season due to injury. Belief is he may get cut in order to free up cap space. That would leave a vacancy at right tackle though. A big powerhouse like Jenkins would be perfect filling it up and he would have the long-term upside of eventually replacing Charles Leno at left tackle.
There’s just one problem. That doesn’t solve the quarterback issue. Until the Bears find a quarterback, it doesn’t seem like whatever they do on the offensive line matters. The way Kiper lays it out, the course of action is clear. Either the Bears will have to find a veteran they are satisfied with or they’ll have to move up in the 1st round to get somebody they want.
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I've been enjoying studying Teven Jenkins' tape.
Backside cut-off to the 2nd level
Angle-drive
Snatch/trap
Jump set
Torque & finish pic.twitter.com/aqMKHPvz0C— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) January 22, 2021
Mel Kiper offering a preview of the emergency option
One of the biggest fears that Bears fans have is the team won’t end up being able to add a QB of significance this offseason. This will force them to enact a plan of last resort. One that essentially involves riding with Nick Foles as the starter again and stockpiling the offense around him as much as humanly possible. Starting of course with the blocking up front.
One of the primary reasons Foles was such a failure was the breakdown of the offensive line. He was never able to handle it due to a lack of mobility or being able to get the ball out fast. Regardless, it’s obvious Mel Kiper is implying that the Bears need to be aggressive if they wish to land somebody of note at quarterback. Otherwise, they better get used to the idea of settling for second-rate. Again.
This is why rumors persist the team will be ultra-aggressive this offseason.
Jobs are on the line but people are tired of living with inadequate quarterback play. If they have to pay a high price to find one, so be it. Still, there is a possibility they strike out. In that case, opting to bolster the front five with somebody like Jenkins is not a bad plan. If nothing else it would set the table for whenever that quarterback finally does arrive in the future.