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2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade into top 10 in Cohen’s final prediction

By Zach Cohen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is tackled by Baron Browning #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is tackled by Baron Browning #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Florida. player. TE. Kyle Pitts. 4. 44

Atlanta holds the key to the draft. As I’ve been saying long before the 49ers traded up, the Falcons are the keystone team. What they do here will set up a massive domino effect that could 100 percent ruin this mock draft.

For so long, I’ve had a quarterback in this spot; I just wasn’t sure who would be on the clock. I think it’s in Atlanta’s best interest to trade down. I wouldn’t be shocked if they cook up a deal with New England. (Foreshadowing, much?) This is another instance of a multimillion-dollar sports organization completely disregarding a young sportswriter’s opinion. How rude.

If rookie GM Terry Fontenot is to trade out of this pick, I’d keep an eye on New England. I’m not sure Denver and their rookie GM, George Paton, would want to pay the price Atlanta asks for. But Bill Belichick? Considering how uncharacteristically aggressive he’s been this offseason, I wouldn’t put it past him.

For now, though, I see the Falcons failing to get the deal they want, shrugging their shoulders, and taking a smooth sip of wine as they take one of the best weapons to enter the draft in a long time. I find it a little tough to believe that they’d stay and take a quarterback here.

Alternative picks: Trade down, Justin Fields

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