Did anybody expect a 5-3 record at the halfway point of 2020? A lot of fans probably didn’t. That is why they were looking towards the Chicago Bears 2021 draft plans. The first time the team would hold a 1st round pick since back in 2018. Yet after a 5-1 start, those people seemed to lose interest. It seemed like the Bears were going to end up in the latter part of the round. That’s no fun.
Well, they probably are going to like what happened after Sunday. Going into the matchup with the New Orleans Saints, Chicago was projected to hold the 23rd pick next April. That would’ve dropped even lower had they pulled off the win. Sadly they fell in overtime. Now losers of two straight and three of their last four? People aren’t feeling so hot about the Bears.
That’s perfectly fine for the draft enthusiasts though.
They were no doubt thrilled at the news that came out of that game. Chicago made a major jump up the 2021 draft board with the loss, going from #23 to #18. The largest jump of any team coming out of that weekend. Considering their offense is one of the worst in the NFL and their defense seems to be wearing down? It’s hard to feel optimistic about their chances of making a second-half run to reach the playoffs.
Just look at what happened to their offensive line. James Daniels is done for the year. Cody Whitehair is out with a calf strain. Bobby Massie just went on IR with a knee injury. Now both Jason Spriggs has COVID-19 and because he was close to Germain Ifedi? Both have to go on the Reserve/COVID list out of precaution. It’s a mess.
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Chicago Bears 2021 draft plans seem pretty clear
So what happens if things stay as they are? That being the Bears hold the 18th pick next spring. There is good news and bad news in this regard. The bad news is their odds of getting a quarterback aren’t great. Joe Flacco went 18th in 2008. Take that for what you will. On the other hand, if it’s offensive line help they want? Then they are in a bit of a sweet spot looking at recent history.
Names like Maurkice Pouncey, Ryan Kelly, and Garrett Bradbury all went in that spot over the past 10 years. All three of them quality NFL blockers. Given how sorely the Bears need help up front, this is some comforting news. Then again the organization hasn’t been dead on with their 1st round offensive line picks in a long time. So there’s that.
Much of how the Chicago Bears 2021 draft plays out depends on the next three games. They play the Titans on Sunday before two divisional games. One against the Vikings before the bye and then the Packers after it. If they can somehow get two out of three in those games, then they may have enough momentum to play in January.
If the slide continues? Then people can’t start thinking bigger. As in possibly drafting a quarterback big since they will likely be picking in the top 15.