2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade into top 10 in Cohen’s final prediction
By Zach Cohen
Justin Fields. player. QB. Ohio St. 7. 47. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Let’s get this out of the way: I think someone moves up for Justin Fields, unless he’s there at No. 9 for Denver. In case you haven’t heard, quarterbacks are more coveted than ever. I know trade-ups for passers kind of died down last year, though that’s probably due to the strange circumstances regarding last year’s draft.
Now, why on Earth would Bill Belichick take a quarterback in the first round for the first time ever, let alone trade up for one? Let me answer my question, with another question: Have you ever seen Belichick do what he did this offseason?
He was throwing money bags around like he just robbed a bank. (Now there’s a fun image.) The Patriots may do this because they’ve been aggressive, they want to win now and Fields may be ready to start on day one. They also have been rumored to be shopping Stephon Gilmore, in what sounds like a very Belichick-esque thing to do.
The Lions may do this because they’re clearly in a rebuild and could just take the best kneecap-breaker, er, defender at No. 15. Taking on a bigger contract for a good cornerback fits the bill, too. Getting a future first and then some could be very enticing for rookie general manager Brad
Holmes. Honestly, I’m just trying to find an excuse to send New England up the board because that’s what I think they want to do. And I doubt a quarterback lands at No. 15 unless teams somehow think Kyle Trask is the second coming of Patrick Mahomes.
Alternative picks: If Detroit stays, Penei Sewell, Micah Parsons, trade down with another team