Chicago Bears: What Daniel Jeremiah’s recent 2020 NFL mock draft means for Ryan Pace
Wide Receivers, Running Backs and Tight Ends (Oh My)
I recently did my own mock draft with a simulator. In that mock draft, I was ecstatic to snag a promising EDGE rusher and one of my favorite Day 2 wide receivers. In fact, I would argue he might go in the first round. That said, I am always looking at the best player available regardless of positional needs.
Wide Receiver
The wide receiver position is not a dire need, but the Chicago Bears should not ignore it either. If a certain receiver falls to them in the second round, they need to pull the trigger. Daniel Jeremiah has six wide receivers taken in the first round. That amount should show you just how strong the 2020 wide receiver class is predicting to become.
The first receiver off the board for Jeremiah is CeeDee Lamb. Lamb is being taken 12th overall by the Oakland Raiders. Other receivers taken (in order) are Jerry Jeudy (15th), Henry Ruggs (21st), Tee Higgins (22nd), Justin Jefferson (24th) and finally Laviska Shenault (30th). This means my favorite Day 2 wide receiver is still available.
Yep, I would be beyond excited if the Chicago Bears could land Jalen Reagor. Another name of possible interest here would be K.J. Hamler. Both are fast receivers with the ability to make electrifyingly big plays. Something the Bears offense lacked in 2019.
Running Back
Only D’Andre Swift goes in the first round for Jeremiah. He has Swift going 18th overall to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins now drafted in my opinion the best quarterback (if healthy) and the best running back in the 2020 NFL Draft. Let the rebuild begin. Look out, Patriots.
I will not dive into running back much here. None of the backs make sense for the Chicago Bears early. They could look to add someone like Trey Sermon or J.J. Taylor. Very different running backs, but both could be had in the later rounds and could fit in nicely. Sermon is a powerful back who could be used in third and short situations. Especially for his blocking abilities. Taylor could be more of a Tarik Cohen replacement if the team decides to move on in 2021.
Tight End
This is great news for anyone who believes the Chicago Bears should take a tight end in the second round. Jeremiah does not predict any tight ends to go in the first round. If this were the case, the Bears should be able to lock up one of the better tight end prospects from this draft class. If Ryan Pace does draft a tight end with pick number 43 or 50, I would go Cole Kmet.
If only the team had a third-rounder or earlier fourth-rounder. I am not sold any of these tight ends are worth a top 50 pick. Kmet or Brycen Hopkins are the top two for me. If I knew the team could land Thaddeus Moss with their compensatory pick in the fourth, that would be my target.
If I am Pace, I am taking a playmaking EDGE rusher and a playmaking wide receiver with my first two picks. Yes, I am skipping tight end here and offensive line early. Pace should address both in free agency and again in the later rounds. The fourth-round pick could be a top OL or TE. The best player available mentality to some degree.