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Chicago Bears: Heisman winner tops final 7-round 2021 mock draft

By Dillon Appleman

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears
With their first pick of this seven round mock draft, the Chicago Bears select DeVonta Smith (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

After a 2020 season full of ups and downs, the Chicago Bears decided their best course of action going forward was to go through a miniature rebuild this offseason. They started by moving on from the disappointing Mitchell Trubisky era and brought in veteran Andy Dalton as a one-year stopgap option to replace him as the team’s assumed starting quarterback. Then, they looked to improve their unfortunate cap situation by making the tough decision to release former All-Pro cornerback, Kyle Fuller.

You don’t typically see teams make such roster shifting moves like this the year after a playoff appearance but credit to the Bears for recognizing that they weren’t set up for sustained success. It’s time for the team to look for a new identity as they head into next season, which is exactly why the Chicago Bears have got to nail the 2021 NFL Draft.

They have eight picks in total and need to make them all count as the team has several glaring needs on both sides of the football. This Chicago Bears seven-round mock draft considers those needs and takes an aggressive approach to fill them.

Note: This 2021 NFL mock draft was completed using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine.

2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 20th Overall

-Bears trade picks 20, 83, and a 2022 3rd to the Giants for pick 11-

Scouting Report. WR. 1. player. Pick Analysis. Alabama. DeVonta Smith. 829

There have been recent reports that the New York Giants are interested in potentially trading down from 11th overall. If that ends up being the case, I think the Chicago Bears should be all over the opportunity to make a deal if the right player is available. For me, that right player would be 2020 Heisman trophy winner, DeVonta Smith.

After San Francisco’s shocking trade to acquire the third overall pick from Philadelphia, the prospect of DeVonta Smith falling outside of the top ten suddenly feels plausible. The Eagles are one of the more wide receiver-needy teams in the league, so with them now sitting at 12th overall, the only threats to spoil this potential trade are the Dolphins and Lions.

If Smith is available when the Giants are on the clock at eleven, the Chicago Bears need to be on the phone. In this scenario, I used the Draft Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to offer the Giants picks 20, 83, and a 2022 third-rounder for the opportunity to take Smith at 11 and they obliged.

DeVonta Smith is one of the more advanced route runners I can remember studying. He has shown a consistent ability to manipulate the movement of whoever lines up in front of him and can create separation with ease as a result. The only notable weakness in his game is his largely discussed stature, but his talent is undeniable.

If things shake out the way they did in this mock scenario, this is a move I would be all over if I were Ryan Pace and company.

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