Looks like the Chicago Bears pick Deshaun Watson at #3 overall is the growing belief. Not just among the national pundits and social media either. Several notable local insiders who cover the team extensively have begun to find consensus for the first time in months with the same name coming up in conversations.
It’s been felt by a great many people that the Bears needed to pick a quarterback in this draft. They have the third-highest pick available, which likely could mean they get their guy of choice. A luxury they haven’t had in over a decade. Plus with a widespread belief that four quarterbacks could go in the first round alone, that only increased the pressure to get their guy early.
Based on every scrap of info available, Watson is indeed that guy.
Bears pick Deshaun Watson may be real after all
John Mullin of CSN offered the most compelling statement yet on the subject, but he was far from alone as others joined him.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
“Earlier thought was that the Bears might be looking at a safety — LSU’s Jamal Adams or Ohio State’s Malik Hooker — but the Bears have conducted some of the most exhaustive research and evaluations in recent memory not of one quarterback but multiple quarterback prospects, in particular Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, Texas Tech’s Pat Mahomes and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.
And the expectation here is that Watson will be the Bears’ selection.”
– yes I think they will draft a QB at 3. Today I think that player will be Watson. The Bears sure as hell aren't saying
— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) April 14, 2017
#3 Bears – DeShaun Watson #MTCMockDraft (Jim MIller)
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 14, 2017
To be clear- I've not once said the #Bears WILL draft QB Deshaun Watson. I've said based on the info I've got, I THINK they will.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) April 16, 2017
Of course nothing is set in stone. There are still 11 days before the start of the draft. Minds are fickle things and can change quickly. Besides there’s no telling what will happen with the first two picks of the draft between Cleveland and San Francisco. That said almost nobody of any credible background thinks Watson will go that high.
Looking at it from a big picture perspective, of course he’d be the pick if QB was the plan. No player in this draft class better fits the mold of what Ryan Pace has repeatedly said he looks for at the position. He wants somebody who was a winner and elevated their program. Not just through their physical skills but also their charisma and leadership.
Watson went 28-2 over his final two seasons at Clemson. They reached the national championship both years and beat Alabama for the title just a few months ago in one of the greatest games ever played. Watson was magnificent in both contests. The fact he’s drawing comparisons to Marcus Mariota, somebody Pace coveted back in 2015? Just icing on the cake.
The logic in it
3-3 +32 yard line and 1:40 left with a Championship on the line v "the LOGO" @DeshaunWatson4 is fearless taking the hit and making the throw pic.twitter.com/3bquDeZGK8
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 5, 2017
Look Watson isn’t perfect. Very few quarterback prospects ever are. That said there hasn’t been one more proven in terms of winning and production combined to come out of college in a long time. He’s an athlete, his arm is strong enough and he knows how to win. Aren’t these all the things that the Bears haven’t had for three decades?
Sure it may be viewed as a reach now, but if he makes even one Pro Bowl during his career in Chicago the pick becomes instantly worth it. There may be more talented players in this draft, but none who can impact football games like a quarterback can. Besides that almost every position of need from secondary to tight end, wide receiver and edge rusher is deep in this class. They can still find difference-makers later on even after they make Watson their guy.
Like it or not from a big picture standpoint, it makes a ton of sense.
