Chicago Bears: The picture-perfect 2021 NFL Mock Draft

The Chicago Bears add running back depth in the fifth round

Speaking of an electric offense, the fun doesn’t stop with Darden. In the fifth round, the Bears trade all the way up to pick no. 167 by dealing a couple of later selections to the Tennessee Titans.

Bears receive: Pick 167

Titans receive: Pick 205, Pick 223

With this pick, the Bears go with Big Ten stud running back Trey Sermon.

One of the reasons Sermon will be found in the middle rounds is because of his lack of production until later in the year. In an offense where Justin Fields dominated headlines and also gave the Buckeyes some juice on the ground, it took Sermon a few games to really burst onto the scene in 2020.

But, when he did, it was a thing of beauty. Sermon obliterated Northwestern’s defense in the Big Ten Championship Game. He ran for 331 yards on 29 carries — it was a monstrous effort. Sermon then took on the Clemson defense in their first playoff game and gouged them for 193 yards on 31 carries.

Sermon won’t be your go-to guy on third downs; at least not right away. So, his value is more predicated on him being a first and second down player. But, with Tarik Cohen being a mainstay on some third downs and David Montgomery being able to catch the football well, Sermon wouldn’t be asked to fill in much there. He’d just be able to spell Montgomery for a solid 8-10 touches per game if need be.