Chicago Bears trade up to retry at quarterback in 2021 mock draft

Chicago Bears: Round 3, Pick No. 90 via CLE

Just like my last mock draft, I followed up a small-school prospect from the FCS with an even smaller-school prospect in Division 3 interior offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz. Meinerz jumped out immediately to people at the Senior Bowl despite hardly getting in by showing his ability on the field and his personality off the field.

Meinerz was a star at the D3 level as a two-year starter entering his senior season, which got canceled due to COVID. In his junior season, Meinerz earned himself AP First-Team All-American honors and Team MVP for the D3 runner-ups. He earned his spot in the Senior Bowl and showed that his talent could translate.

As I’ve said before, an athlete with a wrestling background is a major bonus to me and Meinerz has that and it shows. He shows strong and quick hand-fighting ability and a great anchor to keep his balance against opposing defenders. Meinerz is an unbelievable athlete and very strong as well to pair with that. He displays ideal size as well.

Meinerz is the type of player any NFL team should want. He taught himself how to play center by snapping footballs into a garbage bin. He works his tail off to be the best version of himself and despite being a D3 underdog, brought his confidence to the Senior Bowl against NFL-caliber players. He can fight with Sam Mustipher for the starting center job, which I see him winning either this year or down the road.