About a week ago we looked into who did and did not deserve the term “lock” when it comes to top 20 picks. This gave us a list of players that will certainly be gone by the time the Chicago Bears. It should give Bears fans a pool of players to really expect when they are up at pick 20.
So, leaving out the 16 names below, who are the most likely players to be taken at pick 20? First, take a look at the names below. Remember that they will be excluded when we look at players in play. Christian Darrisaw has slid to 20 in some mocks, and if he falls to 20 we would view him as much draft considering he is a top 20 lock.
Trevor Lawrence
Zach Wilson
Justin Fields
Trey Lance
Mac Jones
Ja’Marr Chase
Devonta Smith
Jaylen Waddle
Kyle Pitts
Penei Sewell
Rashawn Slater
Christian Darrisaw
Alijah Vera-Tucker
Micah Parsons
Patrick Surtain
Jaycee Horn
When it comes to the Chicago Bears’ needs, quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive line overshadow all of the rest. It would be hard for the team to make a case for another position given the board and who would be there. With that in mind, the focus will be solely on those spots.
Quarterback
There is not a quarterback available at 20 that would be worth taking. If any of the top five fell to 20, they should be the pick. If none do, it would be insane for Ryan Pace to draft Kellen Mond or Davis Mills, or Kyle Trask in the first round. The discussion changes past 20, but these players are far from the others.
Wide Receiver
The obvious candidates here are Rashad Bateman and Kadarius Toney, who have been mocked to Chicago more than any wide receiver. We have discussed both and have a preference, but you have to acknowledge both are in play.
Still, let’s wide net this. Who else could be in play, let’s open ourselves to being surprised by a Ryan Pace pick? That has happened before, you know. Word around the NFL is that Elijah Moore is higher on NFL team’s boards than the media suggests. He is the WR4 for many teams. Is Ryan Pace in line with these teams leaking now? We highlight why Moore would be a better pick than Toney here.
Another one is Terrace Marshall. His size, athleticism, and big school prowess have to be respected. Marshall was a higher recruit to LSU than Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson and caught 13 TDs on the same field as them. Then, he caught 10 TDs in 7 games when the duo left. He is laying under the radar, but would not shock if Ryan Pace reached for him.
That gets us to 1. Rashad Bateman 2. Kadarius Toney 3. Elijah Moore 4. Terrace Marshall.
Offensive Line
Teven Jenkins is the best fit and has a real chance of falling to pick 20. It would be hard to swallow Chicago passing on him. However, if we assume he is gone or we once again give Ryan Pace room to surprise us, who else could in play.
Samuel Cosmi has his issues, but his athletic testing shows a sky-high ceiling. We know Ryan Pace will reach for athletes when all else fails, so he could view Cosmi higher than some.
Alex Leatherwood is looked at as a guard by man, but would be a huge addition to the run game and has to be considered.
The noise around Dillon Radunz is getting louder that he could go round one. Would a small school athlete really shock you if Ryan Pace was higher than most on Radunz?
Liam Eichenberg is likely a guard in the NFL, and a great one, so he is unlikely, but we will add him because enough mock drafts have in play for round one.
That gives us
- Teven Jenkins 2. Samuel Cosmi 3. Dillon Radunz 4. Liam Eichenberg
Cornerback
Greg Newsome checks a lot of boxes and makes a lot of sense a local kid being a fit, just like Cole Kmet last year. It goes beyond that, as he has earned his draft stock.
Caleb Farley is the biggest wildcard of the draft, but Ryan Pace could see an easy Kyle Fuller replacement and a top 10 talent falling to him at pick 20. That may entice him.
Asante Samuel Jr. is undersized and maybe a slot-only player, but he is exciting with ball-hawking skills. The Bears need help inside and outside and should love the bloodlines. He has to be in consideration.
We noted that Tyson Campbell is a great fit. Many are mocking him in round one now, and Chicago has to be considered when you factor in the fit.
His teammate Eric Stokes ran sub 4.3 at his Pro Day which almost has to put him in first rounr talk as well. We profiled Stokes as well.
Trevon Moehrig would be a surprise, but he has played in the slot, box, and deep as a free safety. The versatility has to entice Sean Desai, and the Bears do not have long-term options next to Jaylon Johnson, in the slot, or next to Eddie Jackson. Moehrig could fill all three until he eventually fills one.
That gives us 1. Greg Newsome 2. Caleb Farley 3. Asante Samuel 4. Tyson Campbell 5. Eric Stokes 6. Trevon Moehrig
Looking at The Atletic consensus board, which complies an average of every expert, we will now list the best possibilities by their consensus ranking.
1. Caleb Farley (18)
2. Teven Jenkins (21)
3. Trevon Moehrig (23)
4. Greg Newsome (25)
5. Rashad Bateman (27)
6. Kadarius Toney (29)
7. Terrace Marshall (30)
8. Elijah Moore (31)
9. Samuel Cosmi (36)
10. Asante Samuel (40)
11. Alex Leatherwood (44)
12. Liam Eichenberg (45)
13. Eric Stokes (48)
14. Dillon Raunz (49)
15. Tyson Cambell (50)
Do you think the Chicago Bears will draft one of these fit players if they stay at pick 20? Do you think that if any of the top 16 falls they are no brainers over these 15? Still, there is a very good chance that between these 31, we have identified the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick.