It’s finally here. The 2021 NFL Draft will kick off this Thursday night, and not a moment too soon.
After months of pointless speculation, ridiculous mock drafts, and insane overhyping of some frankly remedial prospects, we only have to suffer two more days of the unnecessary drivel before the actual draft begins.
We have absolutely no idea what the Chicago Bears will do. They need a QB of the future, but will they get one in this draft? Will they get one early? Will they invest in the offense for Andy Dalton? Will they find a strong replacement for Kyle Fuller? Will they fortify the offensive line?
It's finally NFL Draft week. I expect the Bears to walk away on Thursday night with one of the following outcomes (not in order of likelihood or preference):
– draft an OT
– draft a CB
– draft a WRI don't expect drafting a QB or trading down to happen.
Rooting for chaos.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 26, 2021
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Let the games begin!
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to all who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation. And we’ll have plenty of coverage of the draft with reactions as it unfolds!
Bears Mailbag
Ideally, I'd like to see them invest in the offense in Round 1 — either a WR or OT. If an elite CB prospect falls (Horn, Surtain), then I'd be open to a CB for sure.
Go for Davis Mills in Round 2.
One more offensive player in Round 3.
That would set the Bears up well.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
There's some projection here, but the best scheme fits (other than Lawrence/Wilson are):
Jones
Mills
Fields (potentially)While Jones comps to Dalton almost directly, Mills and Fields have absurdly more potential. Fields' processor is not currently up to par yet, though.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
Fields and Jones both fit the mold (on the surface) of what Matt Nagy likely wants in his QB. So does Davis Mills.
Fields needs to speed up his processor. Mills needs to be more consistent. Jones is just too average a physical specimen.
Lots of questions.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
My three positions I'm focused on in Round 1 (in no particular order):
OT
CB
WR— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
My best guess:
Miller — 5th or 6th
Robinson — 2nd or 3rd
Graham — He'd have to be released
Whitehair — No chance he's traded
Daniels — No chance he's traded
Leno — He'd have to be released— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
I'd stay away from Farley, especially if they need to count on a CB this year. Back problems are extremely tricky, and they never go away.
I'd much rather the Bears go after Horn, Surtain, or Newsome.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
Farley is much lower on my list of CB prospects. Of the CBs, I'd take them in this order:
Horn
Surtain
Newsome
Stokes— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
If the Bears draft a QB, I don't expect them to start in 2021 unless Andy Dalton is an unmitigated disaster, which I do NOT expect to happen.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
I like Mills a lot. I'm just slightly hesitant to take him at 20 with his limited tape.
If the Bears traded down for a couple extra picks and then traded back up to, say, 31/32 to grab Mills? I'd be happy with that for sure.
If they got him in Round 2, I'd be thrilled.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
There's no way they trade into the Top 5. The Top 10 is possible, but unlikely.
I would be very surprised if the Bears actually pulled off a sizable trade up.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
Justin Fields is one of the more interesting prospects in this draft.
Physically, he has everything. There are flashes of a great QB on tape.
But his processor is too slow/mechanical. He needs to speed it up. Unfortunately, it's one of the hardest things to do in the NFL.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
Keep in mind that teams generally go BPA according to *their* boards. So yes, I do expect that. Fans just have to hope that their evaluations are correct.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
My preference is to invest in the offensive infrastructure in this draft. So I'd go OL (or even WR) before QB.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
Generally what happens is that responsibility falls on the general manager, which happens to be Ryan Pace's title.
(Sorry, I had to.)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2021
