2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade into top 10 in Cohen’s final prediction
By Zach Cohen
57. 9. QB. North Dakota St. Trey Lance. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Maybe it’d be more accurate if I had the Bears bypass a big move in favor of QB1 Andy Dalton. Kidding — or am I? I have been screaming for Chicago to make this move because, in the nicest terms possible, it’s now or never for them. Failure to succeed this season will result in too many lost jobs, and that includes Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace.
In this scenario, I have them coughing up a future first and some change to jump up from No. 20. I say ‘some change’ because the Bears would be at the mercy of the Broncos’ asking price. I easily could have made this move at No. 8, but I flipped a coin and landed on this selection instead. Maybe it’s just me assuming Denver would be more willing to move down than Carolina, which they may not be.
Either way, I fully expect Chicago to be the team to make an aggressive move. Then again, they are the Bears, and this deal would make them have only two picks in the first four rounds. That’s a risky maneuver for Chicago, but one I can see them doing because as I just said: They are the Bears.
As for the Broncos, I could’ve totally envisioned them falling in love with Justin Fields until they traded for Teddy Bridgewater. I think a move back is more realistic than ever. It’s that or taking Micah Parsons or Rashawn Slater, or even Penei Sewell if he falls. My pick would probably be Slater, though I’d bet Vic Fangio is salivating over Parsons at this very moment.
NOTE: I’m now 50-50 on whether Chicago or Washington moves up. It helps that I had to rewrite this section after the Bridgewater trade to Denver, though.
Alternative picks: If Broncos stay, Rashawn Slater, Micah Parsons