Chicago Bears: 3 Best picks to make at No. 20 in 2021 NFL Draft

For the time being, the Chicago Bears still own the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Until that changes, here are three of the best picks to make there.

This is an interesting time for the Chicago Bears. For the first time since 2018, they actually have a first-round pick. That year, they picked linebacker Roquan Smith so it worked out pretty well. However, under general manager Ryan Pace the Bears haven’t exactly had a lot of success with their first-round picks.

Many experts expect the Bears to be active in the 2021 NFL Draft. They own the 20th overall pick. There are plenty of holes to fill, however. They could use that pick on either a quarterback, an offensive lineman, a cornerback, or a wide receiver.

Additionally, the Bears could make moves. There are rumors that they might trade up to draft one of the top quarterback prospects. They could also trade down and pick up more picks to address their needs.

At the moment, though, they still have that 20th pick. There are a number of good choices they could go for at that spot. They need to assess and determine which position is of the highest priority and go that way. On the other hand, they could just go with the best player available.

Here are three of the best choices the Chicago Bears make with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears need to build up the wide receivers corps. Aside from Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, they don’t have much. Anthony Miller will likely be traded on draft weekend. Javon Wims and Riley Ridley haven’t done much to inspire hope.

The Bears recently signed Marquise Goodwin. He adds speed to the receiving corps but he’s dealt with injuries and missed the 2020 season because he opted out due to the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, if you take out the 2017 season in which he amassed 962 receiving yards, the most yards he had in a season was 395 yards.

Luckily, the Bears won’t need Goodwin to be a high-yardage receiver. He could be a good option when the other receivers are covered. Of course, that only happens if the Bears pick up a receiver prospect who can be a high-volume guy.

That prospect is Rashod Bateman.

While Bateman doesn’t have great speed, his great footwork and route-running, along with his quickness and athleticism help him beat defenders.

Once the ball is in the air, Bateman has great hands to snatch the ball out of the air. He also has the ability to contort his body to make contested catches. He can also use his body control to elude the defender once he makes the catch.

Bateman draws comparisons to Robinson so why not have the duo play together in Chicago? Also, we don’t know if Robinson returns after playing on the franchise tag this season. He was upset when he couldn’t get a long-term deal done with the team last season so he may decide to walk away if he doesn’t get tagged again. Why not have a Robinson clone take over if he walks? Bateman would be a great replacement. If Robinson ends up re-signing with Chicago, that makes the receiving game stronger.