The Chicago Bears have a lot to address this offseason, including the roster, coaching, and front office. Without a lot of money available for free agency, the Bears are going to have to hit on their picks in this draft, just as they have so far in last year’s draft.
Unfortunately, the Bears might have to cut or trade some of their veteran players in order to save money for the future. Flipping some players for draft capital might benefit the team in the long run, even though it hurts to lose some of our best players.
In this seven-round mock draft, the Bears decided to part ways with a star player. This draft was done via The Draft Network in a manual mock draft.
Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 20
Arguably the biggest need for the Bears is the offensive line. Charles Leno could be on his way out and Bobby Massie is as good as gone. Beefing up the offensive line with one of the better tackle prospects in this draft is exactly what the offense could need, especially with a possible new quarterback in the mix.
Rashawn Slater has been a wall at Northwestern in 2019, allowing only five pressures on 355 passing block snaps. He opted out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19, but he is still regarded as a high-value prospect and could be a potential left tackle of the future.
One of his main strengths is his versatility along the line. He almost is more suited for the interior offensive line just because of his fundamentals and good footwork. Still, he is very solid in pass protection and could be used at either tackle spot if the Bears want to keep him on the outside.
Opting out of the season could potentially hurt his NFL readiness, but thanks to his awareness and use of basic fundamentals, he is still a safe bet. His lack of experience in a vertical offense can be a bit worrisome, but he can learn with good coaching and experience. Slater would be a great pick at 20 for the Bears.
Player comparison: Jonah Williams, Elgton Jenkins