Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Chicago Bears Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Chicago Bears from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
Given a lack of length (32 1/8" arms), Vera-Tucker is better suited to play guard at the next level, but he boosted his stock by how well he played when replacing Austin Jackson at left tackle for the Trojans last year. Vera-Tucker's movement skills, balance and versatility put him inside the top 20 of our 2021 NFL Draft Big Board.
Chicago is likely out of reach to trade up for a top-five QB, at least without completely leveraging the organization's future. So it might as well give Andy Dalton -- and his eventual replacement -- another playmaker to work with, even after placing the franchise tag on Allen Robinson II. Toney is a different kind of receiver: He isn't polished, but he's versatile and explosive. Get the ball to him and he'll make things happen. The Bears could use that skill set on offense.
Unless the Bears find a way to leap into the top five to draft a quarterback, it appears it's Andy Dalton or bust in 2021. That shouldn't stop the team from upgrading the offense, which needs to prepare for the eventual departure of franchise-tagged wide receiver Allen Robinson.
There still remains a rather big wildcard between now and the draft and that's Sam Darnold. I know the official Bears Twitter account tweeted out a statement about their new QB Andy Dalton, which drew the ire of pretty much the entire fanbase, but I expect them to still look to upgrade that position if Darnold or perhaps Jimmy G. becomes available.
Much like the Panthers in this mock, they instead will settle on adding the best weapon available for whoever is playing QB for them next year. Although looking at Bateman's college stats, coupled with his recent sub-4.4 40 at the Exos combine on 2/27, it's unfair to describe picking Bateman as "settling." Just a sophomore in 2019, he had 1,219 yards and 11 TDs while averaging over 20 yards per catch.
The Bears were forced to release All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller in order to clear some cap space. Farley is a physical press corner with elite athleticism and size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) who didn't play last season due to COVID. I imagine a recent back surgery will damage his stock a bit -- even though he should be ready for training camp.
Smith has the talent to be a top-10 pick, but NFL teams could balk at his lack of bulk. If that happens, the Bears could reap the benefits on draft day. After missing out on the Kenny Golladay sweepstakes, Chicago scoops up the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and adds a natural playmaker to its passing game. Lining up opposite Allen Robinson, Smith would give new quarterback Andy Dalton a second go-to option.
The Bears released star cornerback Kyle Fuller and replaced him with Desmond Trufant, but they could use more depth behind him and second-year pro Jaylon Johnson. Caleb Farley opted out of the 2020 season, but he has an excellent mix of size (6-2, 207), speed, and physicality in press man coverage. He does have a bit of an injury history and missed his Pro Day to undergo a procedure on his back, but agent Drew Rosenhaus said Farley should be good to go by training camp.
