Chicago Bears: Breakdown of national analysts’ 2020 draft predictions
CBS Sports and Sporting News
Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports
First up we will take a look at CBS Sports national writer Chris Trapasso’s mock draft for the Chicago Bears second-round picks. He updated his mock draft on April 8, 2020.
With the 43rd overall pick, Trapasso is predicting Ryan Pace selects Chase Claypool, wide receiver out of Notre Dame.
I really like Claypool, but to take him with pick No. 43 seems like a reach. Claypool is a big-bodied receiver who some have rumored would make a solid tight end. I have Claypool rated as a late-round second or early third-round pick. There is no way the Chicago Bears should be taking him over guys like K.J. Hamler, Jalen Reagor, Denzel Mims or Brandon Aiyuk.
With the 50th overall pick, Trapasso is predicting the Chicago Bears select Damien Lewis, offensive guard out of LSU.
Alright, I am definitely not a fan of Trapasso’s mock. I do think the Bears need to look at drafting an offensive lineman (whether guard or tackle is based on best available) in the second round, but Lewis this high? Seems to me that Trapasso is okay with reaching on guys he likes. Lewis should not be drafted before names like Lloyd Cushenberry, Jonah Jackson or Matt Hennessy. Pace should also consider Austin Jackson, Prince Tega Wanogho or Lucas Niang at tackle before Lewis.
If the Bears take Lewis, it better be because they traded back later in the second round or early third round. Same situation as Claypool.
Vinny Iyer – Sporting News
Next up we take a look at Sporting News national writer Vinny Iyer’s mock draft for the Bears second-round picks. His mock draft was updated on April 9, 2020.
With the 43rd overall pick, Iyer predicts the Chicago Bears draft Grant Delpit, safety out of LSU.
I would absolutely love this pick. In a recent mock draft I did with The Draft Network’s simulator, I too selected Delpit at No. 43. The problem is, I am not sure Delpit falls to No. 43. The reason people are seeing him slip is that his tackling is not the best, but I think that take is a little overblown.
Delpit could become an elite safety and putting him next to Eddie Jackson would be ideal. He is better suited to be an in-the-box safety which would leave Jackson free to play more as he did in 2017 and 2018. Delpit has great size at 6’2″ and 213lbs. He is versatile too and able to make plays on the football, not like Adrian Amos who is basically a one-trick pony.
With the 50th overall pick, Iyer has the Chicago Bears drafting Raekwon Davis, defensive tackle out of Alabama.
I love the player here, but not sure he makes it to No. 50. If he is there, Ryan Pace must consider him even if defensive line is not a “need”. Davis would instantly compete against the likes of Roy Robertson-Harris and Bilal Nichols for the starting defensive end spot opposite of Akiem Hicks. Honestly, Davis would probably win that competition easily if the offseason happens as it would have before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adding a guy like Davis would also mean the Bears would have more legit depth at a very important position should someone like Hicks get injured as he did in 2019.