A couple of weeks ago, former Bleacher Report draft insider Matt Miller posted his final mock draft. In it, he had the Chicago Bears drafting Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore. It was a bit of a surprise that he was convinced the team wouldn’t consider taking a quarterback. Especially with Mitch Trubisky being a free agent this March. Now he’s not the only one. Fellow insider Todd McShay joined in that chorus.
The longtime ESPN draft guru released his own mock draft recently. He had four quarterbacks going before the Bears pick at #20. Rather than have them take the fifth QB on his board, he took the same approach as Miller. He had them take a wide receiver. Not just any wide receiver too. Elijah Moore of Ole Miss.
Crazy coincidences aside, he explained the reasoning behind it.
“Well, Mitchell Trubisky might be playing his way back onto the Bears’ 2021 roster — and with four quarterbacks off the board already here, there wouldn’t be too many options if Chicago chose to go that route. I’ll be watching to see what Chicago does in free agency at QB or if the Bears attempt to trade up at all.
Regardless, the Bears need weapons to get this offense closer to the talented defense’s level. Worse, Allen Robinson is a pending free agent. Moore could be an excellent pick here, bringing speed and an ability to work the middle of the field. He trailed only DeVonta Smith in catches and receiving yardage this season.”
What makes it even more interesting is what he has happening around them. McShay had Ohio State standout Justin Fields going to the Patriots at #15 while North Dakota State talent Trey Lance going to the Washington Football Team one pick earlier at #19. Both would consider that easy trade-up range for Chicago. Then there was Alabama star Mac Jones who went a pick after them to Indianapolis at #21.
Todd McShay really seems to think Mitch Trubisky will be back
A lot of this is centered around Trubisky. His recent four-game run of strong play that helped the Bears go 3-1 and sneak into the playoffs has people thinking he might finally be figuring it out. Is this true? Based on his performance against Green Bay, that is hard to accept. He’s still limited in a lot of areas. Maybe if they wanted to keep him on a cheap deal as a sort of bridge option? That would make sense.
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That said, realistically Trubisky hasn’t done anything to deter the Bears from going after a new quarterback in the draft if the opportunity is there. One can bet if Ryan Pace remains the GM he’ll have no qualms about being aggressive. Either way, this confidence Trubisky will convince the team to avoid that position in the 1st round feels a little too misguided.
Now that’s not to say a wide receiver that early is off the table.
Allen Robinson could leave in free agency, leaving them with limited options at the position. Elijah Moore though? He’s a fast and quick player but also just 5’9 and 185 lbs. That is quite small for receiver. Taking one like that in the 1st round is a gamble given the limitations in terms of physicality and higher risks of injury.
Considering LSU star Terrance Marshall went a few picks later who is 6’4 with speed? That feels like somebody they would consider. All things considered, much of how this plays out will depend on what happens in March. Maybe the Bears make some changes in free agency or even on the trade market. If so the quarterback question won’t be as prevalent come April.
