Chicago Bears wheel and deal in final 7-round mock draft for 2021

Chicago Bears 2021 mock draft: Round 2, Pick 53

The Chicago Bears pull the trigger on another trade in this round. They move down just one spot and pick up the Tennessee Titans’ 2022 fifth-round pick. They have an added pick to work with next year without drastically changing their position this year.

With the 53rd overall pick, the Bears pick up cornerback Eric Stokes. Had the Bears stayed at No. 20, they likely pick up Caleb Farley. Stokes, however, can be a steal here. He has the ability to play both the outside and slot. With Desmond Trufant as the starter on the outside this season, the Bears can utilize Stokes on the outside to give Trufant a breather and in the slot to give Stokes some added snaps.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

Stokes only had four interceptions in his three seasons with the Bulldogs, but all of them came in 2020. He also returned two of them for touchdowns. He got those interceptions in a nine-game shortened season. Despite not having a lot of turnovers in college, his skills will translate to the NFL and he should see more interceptions come his way on the professional level.

Even though the interception numbers weren’t high, Stokes did a good job of disrupting passes thrown his way. He had 23 pass breakups in his career.

Speed on the field kills. Stokes has plenty of that. He runs a 4.25-second 40, so he could stay with just about any receiver. He played in the SEC so he faced some of the toughest receivers in all of college football. He faced receivers like Jerry Jeudy, Justin Jefferson, and Devonta Smith and did more than handle his own. Playing against elite receivers like those, a cornerback needs to be competitive. Stokes is just that.

Georgia assistant football coach and track coach Frankey Iverson spoke on Stokes’ speed and competitiveness, per SI.com:

"We’ve had some fast kids, but, he’s … lightyears ahead. We always feel like speed is speed. If you’re fast on a track, you’re fast on a football field. The difference with Eric is that he’s so competitive. Eric has a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality. Off the football field, he’s the warmest and sweetest kid. When it’s competition time, I don’t even recognize him."

When draft experts talk about the elite corners you don’t hear much about Stokes. He is the perfect type of player that Pace targets. Stokes could be a real steal for him and the Bears.