Chicago Bears: Final 2021 NFL mock draft with trades fixes team’s needs
Pick Analysis. OT. BYU. BradyChristensen. 117. player. 57. Scouting Report
The Chicago Bears take another offensive tackle by selecting Brady Christensen
The Chicago Bears have a need at both left tackle and right tackle. With this draft, the Bears can cut ties with Charles Leno as a post-June 1st cut to save enough money to pay all of the Bears’ 2021 NFL Draft picks. The team should be able to determine if Brady Christensen or Dillon Radunz will start at left tackle (Radunz most likely) and then will Christensen beat out Germain Ifedi, maybe.
Christensen at this point was worth trading up to 117 — especially after adding so much draft capital. I have Christensen higher on my draft board than most I think. Personally, I find Christensen to be a third-round pick and not a fourth. This is why I had to move up when he was still available. Seeing the Chicago Bears land two offensive tackles in this draft would be fantastic — especially with two top-100 prospects.
Christensen is more likely to be a right tackle or even a guard. In this case, I am hopeful he can take over for Ifedi while Radunz proves himself worthy on the left side. Christensen’s arms are a little shorter (32-1/4″) than the ideal length for a left tackle (33″+). These two projects to be an upgrade over what the team currently has, but difficult to trust two new starters, this is why Ifedi will likely start the season over Christensen.
Pick Analysis. Clemson. Amari Rodgers. 57. Scouting Report. WR. 136. player
Of course, the Chicago Bears would need to draft a wide receiver in this draft. Had Amon-Ra St. Brown fallen to the 83rd pick, I never would have traded back in the third. St. Brown is one of my favorite third to fourth-round target. Seeing him go made me sad, but landing Amari Rodgers later helped soften that blow.
Rodgers is a smaller receiver but was a five-star recruit who found a niche for himself despite being behind guys like Tee Higgins who is now in the NFL. Rodgers was able to gain 575 (2018) and 426 (2019) yards prior to his breakout year last year when he gained 1,020 yards. He also increased his touchdown production going from four in 2018 and 2019, to seven last season.
Rodgers will be a slot receiver in the NFL and would be able to push to take over the place of Anthony Miller and Javon Wims should both be on a new team in 2021.