Buzz continues to surround the Chicago Bears 2021 draft and what they might have planned. This is actually becoming more difficult to answer because the future of GM Ryan Pace is being called into question. If he’s out, the decision on what to do next April falls on his successor, which is about as unpredictable as it gets.
One thing is for sure though. Quarterback figures to be somewhere near the top of the list. Mitch Trubisky and Tyler Bray are free agents this coming spring. Nick Foles? He’s proving to be a disappointment this season. It isn’t entirely his fault given how bad the rest of the offense is. Still, his limitations have become painfully apparent.
This is why expectations are they’ll draft somebody. Could Kellen Mond of Texas A&M be that guy?
Chicago Bears 2021 draft look at Kellen Mond
Strengths:
- Arm strength isn’t a need for discussion. The ball comes off his hand with plenty of velocity in a crisp spiral.
- Accuracy at the short and intermediate levels is good. Ball placement is also solid, rarely being put in dangerous spots.
- Shown ability to throw on the run. Doesn’t lose a lot of accuracy when he’s moving to his right or left.
Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond: Highest graded QB returning to the SEC in 2020.pic.twitter.com/BRwa94axN8
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 30, 2020
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This is where Mond can really excite you. Sees the pressure coming and uses his legs to spin out of it. Buys time moving to his left, adjusts his body, and fires the ball to his receiver who is well-covered for a touchdown. This is one of the most difficult throws in football to make, which speaks to his obvious talent.
- The release is compact and quick. Ball comes up and out with little wasted motion.
- Mobility doesn’t seem to be an issue. While not a dangerous threat, he has more than enough in his legs to get 1st downs.
- Not afraid to stand in there and take the hit. Will wait until the last second if necessary before making the throw.
- Supporting cast didn’t do him any favors. Lot of drops over the past couple of years that make his evaluation more difficult.
- Highly experienced. Has been starting games since his freshman year. As seasoned a QB as there will be in this draft.
Weaknesses:
- Size isn’t terrible but it also isn’t ideal. Listed at 6’2 but more like 6’1 and also on the thinner side for a QB.
- Deep ball is a concern. Whenever he starts going further downfield, the throws tend to be high or overthrow. Not a lot of touch.
- Doesn’t have a lot of highlight-reel throws. Particularly into traffic. Speaks to a lack of aggressiveness at times.
- Processor is slow. Tends to linger from one read to the next, waiting for guys to come wide open rather than open.
- Awareness should be called into question. Often fails to recognize where the blitz is coming from.
- Seems to lack poise. Doesn’t handle pressure well and tends to play his worst in big games against big opponents.
Pro comparison: Joshua Dobbs
Dobbs was a tantalizing talent at Tennessee. A true dual-threat QB with a live arm and the ability to take off and run. He could make some impressive throws at times but it was clear coming out in 2017 that he needed work. The ability to read and process defenses weren’t quite there. His eyes came across as slow and he played the position more like an athlete than a passer. That is why he’s been a backup since getting to the NFL.
Projection: 4th round
Mond is what they call an upside quarterback. His talent makes it to where he’s worth taking a flier on but his tape shows a player that still isn’t playing the position like a natural passer. It’s hard to tell if this is the offense he plays in or just who he is. The reality is he’ll have to learn how to break down defenses before and after the snap a lot quicker to get a true opportunity in the NFL.
