Chicago Bears: Five most critical needs heading into 2021 NFL Draft
1. Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence headlines the 2021 NFL Draft quarterback class with names like Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance also being potential top-10 picks. Barring the biggest swerve in draft history, Trevor Lawrence will be headed to Jacksonville with the number one pick but the others are tough to predict. Wilson and Fields have been jockeying for QB2 for a while now, while Lance is likely to pick up more steam after his pro day when he reminds people how much of a physical specimen he is.
If the Bears want any of these three prospects, they would need to do everything in their power to trade up to get them. Getting into the top 10 would likely cost them their 20th pick, as well as a couple of mid-rounders, which would be worth it if they believe they can get their guy.
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If they can’t get a deal done, they could even look at trading back a little to snag a guy like Alabama’s Mac Jones or Florida’s Kyle Trask as a developmental option to sit behind a bridge veteran for a season. While that certainly wouldn’t excite fans, it would allow them to add more draft capital to focus on other pressing needs, while adding a young, low-risk option to the QB room.
2. Wide Receiver
The likelihood of Allen Robinson returning on a new deal with the team is low, as he is expected to test the market elsewhere. That means the top wide receiver targets for whoever the Chicago Bears quarterback is going into the 2021 season would be Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller. While Mooney proved to be a steal after being selected in the fifth round last year, Miller is heading into a contract year and will need to prove a lot if he wants to be brought back.
The 2021 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at the wide receiver position so the Chicago Bears could land a legit contributor with any of their picks in the first three rounds. If they decide to not force the selection of a quarterback in the first round, the Bears could be in a position to select stars like Terrace Marshall Jr., Kadarius Toney, or Rashod Bateman. Day 2 could still land them some big-time talent with Tylan Wallace and Sage Surratt coming to mind as nice fits.