We finally made it to the 2020 NFL draft after a long offseason.
After a year of studying tape, researching prospects, analyzing combine scores and debating, we will finally know which rookies will be suiting up for the Chicago Bears this season.
But before we do, let’s take one more shot at predicting who those players might be.
Round 2, Pick 43:
Top Available: OT Austin Jackson, WR Brandon Aiyuk, LB Zach Baun, WR Laviska Shenault, CB Noah Igbinoghene
I considered trading down here as there are still plenty of good options on the board. But one player stood out above the rest to the point I didn’t want to risk losing him.
Selection: Brandon Aiyuk WR (Arizona State)
Aiyuk is the best player available who, if this was any other draft class, would be a sure-fire first-round draft pick. He gives the Bears an explosive playmaker who can thrive in Matt Nagy’s short passing game while also having the speed to take the top off the defense.
Aiyuk can win at all three levels of the field while also providing great value as a return man. He should make the job of whoever is starting at quarterback for the Bears so much easier as well and also take some attention away from Allen Robinson, which should give him more one-on-one opportunities.
Round 2, Pick 57:
Top Available: S Jeremy Chinn, TE Cole Kmet, CB Damon Arnette, C Tyler Biadasz
At pick 50, I was much more willing to trade back given the players available. I was able to execute a trade back to No. 57 while also picking up a third-round pick at No. 104. There have been rumors that the Bears like Kmet, and he is available here, but I decided to go in a different direction at one of the most important positions in football.
Trade:
Bears Receive
- Round 2, Pick 57
- Round 3, Pick 104
Rams Receive:
- Round 2, Pick 50
Selection: Damon Arnette CB (Ohio State)
Arnette can step in right away to be the second cornerback opposite of Kyle Fuller. Artie Burns is a back up at best and we really don’t know what Tre Roberson can provide coming from the CFL. Cornerback is a position that will hopefully be addressed with one of their first two picks as the positional value is there and cornerback is arguably the most important position on the defensive side of the ball.
Round 3, Pick 104
Top Available: G Robert Hunt, TE Brycen Hopkins, T Saahdiq Charles, EDGE Alex Highsmith
This was a fairly easy decision given who was on the board at pick 104. While Hopkins, Charles, and Highsmith are intriguing options, Hunt is an immediate starter at a position of need.
Selection: Robert Hunt G (Louisiana-Lafayette)
Hunt is a skilled, powerful player who will immediately be the best run-blocking offensive linemen on the team. There might be some growing pains as he transitions from tackle to guard and the big jump in competition, but I have no reason to think why Hunt won’t be successful in the NFL. I’ve studied a lot of guards in this year’s draft, and — to me — Hunt is the top player at the position.
Round 4, Pick 129
After 104, I did not pick again until 164. I had my eye on a few players who, if they started falling, I was prepared to trade up. Ryan Pace loves trading up and despite a lack of draft capital, I definitely see him targeting a specific player and trading up for them around this part of the draft.
Trade
Bears Receive:
- Round 4, Pick 129
Ravens Receive:
- Round 5, Pick 164
- Round 7, Pick 234
Selection: K’Von Wallace DB (Clemson)
The player I was targeting was Wallace. At Clemson, he played safety but was primarily used as a slot corner for the Tigers. He has elite change of direction skills, which makes him a better man coverage player than most safeties.
The safety position is changing, and if you can’t cover wide receivers one on one, you aren’t going to see the field in the NFL. Wallace is a modern safety and can fill many roles for the Bears defense.
Round 6, Pick 197
Top Available: QB James Morgan, TE Josiah Deguara, RB Joshua Kelley, OT Jon Runyan, OL Cameron Clark
I had some intriguing options here. I am a big fan of both offensive tackles, but with a pick at 201, I figured one of them would still be there. So it came down to Morgan and Deguara. I’ve included Deguara in every mock I’ve done this offseason, so why stop now?
Selection: Josiah Deguara TE (Cincinnati)
Deguara is a solid all-around tight end, who should be a valuable special teamer as well. He should be a reliable second tight end in an offense and can also provide utility as an H-back. He doesn’t have huge upside, but he is a safe pick for a general manager who needs some safety blankets.
Round 6, Pick 201
Top Available: QB Nate Stanley, RB Joshua Kelley, OT Jon Runyan, LB Francis Bernard
Just as I expected one of the offensive linemen fell to me. Clark was picked right before I was on the clock but I was able to get Runyan in round six which I felt very good about.
Selection: Jon Runyan OT (Michigan)
Michigan was one of my favorite offensive lines to watch this year. There were more talented players who will get drafted higher, but Runyan was the anchor at left tackle. His ultimate position might be on the inside, but I would give him every opportunity at tackle before switching positions. He will be competing for a roster spot this year and next year will have a chance to compete as the Bears’ swing tackle.
Round 7, Pick 227
Top Available: QB Nate Stanley, QB Jake Luton, QB Josh Love, QB Tyler Huntley
I wanted to take a quarterback earlier, but the board never fell my way. I knew I wanted to draft a quarterback, and with less than stellar options at other positions, I only considered drafting a quarterback here.
Selection: Jake Luton QB (Oregon State)
You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than hitting on a quarterback this late, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a chance. Luton is one of my favorite developmental quarterback prospects in this draft.
He gives the Bears a young quarterback to groom behind Nick Foles and Mitch Trubisky while also not preventing them from drafting a quarterback in the first round next year if needed. If you can get a cheap backup for the next four years out of him, then that’s a huge win this late in the draft.
Leave a Reply