Chicago Bears: Breakdown of national analysts’ 2020 draft predictions

Walter Football and Sports Illustrated

Walter Football

Walter Football is a dedicated draft prospect site. They get a bad reputation at times, but what people should know is that they have two analysts who are ranked No. 1 and No.2 in FantasyPros most accurate mock drafters of 2019. It should also be noted this was not luck. Walter Cherepinsky came in at No. 2 overall in 2018 too. Charlie Campbell was 25th in 2018.

With the 43rd overall pick, Walter Football mocks that the Chicago Bears select Ezra Cleveland, offensive tackle out of Boise State.

I will not try to tell Walter Football that they are crazy, but I just do not believe the value for Cleveland is here. I do like Cleveland, but I think the No. 43 pick and No. 50 pick in their mock draft should be swapped. (more on No. 50 soon). 

If the Bears take Cleveland at No. 43 I would not be upset. Cleveland would come in and push the likes of Charles Leno and Bobby Massie. He is not coming from a top school at Boise State, but he proved himself at the Senior Bowl. He also shot up draft boards after the NFL Combine when he led all tackles with a 4.46 20-yard shuttle. This drill has been a strong indicator of success for many offensive tackles in the league. He would make a good fit for a zone-blocking team too.

With the 50th overall pick, Walter Football predicts the Bears select Jalen Reagor, wide receiver out of TCU.

Anyone who pays close attention to my draft analysis would know I absolutely love this selection. The problem is, there is no way Reagor falls to No. 50. I am not even sure he falls to No. 43, but that is at least more likely. As I said, if you swap these two picks I can get more on board with the accuracy. 

Now the problem is that Reagor just ran a 2.22 and 2.28 40-yard dash at his virtual pro day. 

We need to be careful with these numbers, but this means he is running in the low 4.30’s and is more fitting of his game film than the 4.47 he ran at the NFL Combine. I was hoping that his Combine speed would lower his draft stock in a way the Bears could select him. Lately, I have seen him going in the mid-30s in other mock drafts.

This is why I do not see him getting to 50 and with the new 40 time he might not even get to 43. If he does, Pace must take him. He will be a game-changer.

Kevin Hanson – Sports Illustrated

Up next we take a look at Sports Illustrated’s national writer Kevin Hanson. Hanson updated his mock draft on April 9, 2020 and was the 6th most accurate mock drafter in 2019 according to FantasyPros.

With the 43rd overall pick, Hanson has the Chicago Bears drafting Cesar Ruiz, interior offensive lineman from Michigan.

Listen, if Ruiz drops to this spot Ryan Pace should start jumping up and down with excitement. Ruiz is not likely to drop out of the first round. He is arguably the top interior offensive lineman prospect. He played 31 games for Michigan, 26 of those were at the center position and the other five were at the guard spot. He is very mobile and moves well for such a big man. He would be an instant upgrade and slide in as a starter for the Bears offensive line. 

WIth the 50th overall pick, Hanson predicts the Bears select Jeremy Chinn, safety out of Sothern Illinois.

You would think the Bears have plenty of tape on local safety prospect, Jeremy Chinn. He has shot up draft boards lately and has been rumored to the Bears often. He is a big safety at 6’3″ and 219lbs. He would fill in nicely next to Eddie Jackson and I would be okay with this pick. He comes from a smaller school, but I like the tape I have seen. 

He should not be trusted in man coverage or single-high coverage out of the gate, but I do think he can develop into an all-around safety with not many limitations. He should be looked at as a more traditional strong-safety or a sub-package guy to start his career.