Every Chicago Bears 2020 mock draft up to this point has featured them trading down. Yet everybody knows the GM who runs this franchise. Typically if Ryan Pace is going to make a move of some kind, it will be up. He did it in 2016. He did it in 2017 and again in 2019. The man clearly believes in if there is a player you view as a difference-maker, you should go get him.
The problem is the Bears don't have a lot of picks to give. They already traded their 1st, 3rd, and 4th round picks this year to other teams. Digging into the 2021 cache seems like the only way they'd be able to move up. Is that truly the case? Not necessarily. This mock will explore a way for Pace to get his wish but also managing to secure a little extra capital for later on.
Chicago Bears 2020 mock draft seeks playmakers
- Trade: #43 and #50 picks to Miami for #39 and #56 picks
2nd Round (Pick #39 via MIA) - Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
The Bears experimented with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at safety after losing Adrian Amos. While it wasn't a failure, nobody can call it a success either. Clinton-Dix played solid in 2019. That said, his presence seemed to hurt the defense more than help because of what it did to Eddie Jackson. It forced him to play closer to the line of scrimmage more often, robbing the secondary of one of its best coverage playmakers.
Going after Antoine Winfield Jr. with a minor trade up solves their problem. The Minnesota safety is the son of former Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield. Just like his daddy, he has a remarkable feel for the game. Excellent instincts and ball skills. While a bit undersized, he tackles well and isn't afraid to play downhill. He can plug that strong safety need, allowing Jackson to resume his role in deep coverage.
- Trade: #56 pick to Baltimore for #60 pick and #129 pick
2nd Round (Pick #60 via BAL) - Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
The Bears have more questions at wide receiver than people care to admit. Allen Robinson is a stud, obviously. Beyond him? It gets tricky. Anthony Miller played really well down the stretch of last season but then injured his shoulder, requiring offseason surgery. His second on that side. Taylor Gabriel is gone. Cordarrelle Patterson is a mostly gadget guy. Javon Wims and Riley Ridley? Both unproven. One common thread about them all is a lack of speed.
Shenault was the MFIC on the Colorado offense the past two years. The straw that stirred the drink. Every time they had a big play, he was the one providing it. Not only great quickness and acceleration but legitimate vertical speed. He also has strong hands and an ability to high point the ball. Concerns with him center on health as he failed to complete any of his years there without an injury.
4th Round (Pick #129 via BAL) - Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State
When looking at 2020 by itself, the Bears appear situated at quarterback. It's when the glances move to next year where things get interesting. Both Mitch Trubisky and Tyler Bray will be free agents. Nick Foles technically will have two years left on his contract but will have the option to void them and become a free agent himself as well. This means the Bears have no definitive QB on their roster beyond this season.
It feels like they will draft a quarterback. Anthony Gordon is quietly one of the more favored names in this class. He has certain concerns including just one year of starting experience and playing in the Air Raid system. Even so, he's known for being highly intelligent, cool under pressure, and featuring one of the quickest releases in the 2020 draft. He could spend a year on the bench learning under this QB-friendly coaching staff and give them options in 2021.
5th Round (Pick #164) - Jon Runyan Jr., OL, Michigan
It doesn't happen all the time, but history does show that football tends to run in the family. Winfield was a good example earlier and so is Runyan. His father was an outstanding tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles back in the 2000s, helping them to reach five NFC championship games and the Super Bowl in 2004. His son isn't quite the athlete he was. However, Runyan Jr. is tough, physical, and has a similar nastiness. He could have a nice future at guard.
Right now the Bears are looking for options on the interior. Right guard is wide open with the exit of Kyle Long. It looks like a competition that will feature Rashaad Coward, Alex Bars, and newcomer Germain Ifedi. None of those could be called locks to win it. So in the absence of a sure thing, the team adds more bodies to the mix. Runyan isn't flash but he's better than he gets credit for.
6th Round (Pick #197) - Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
Prince Amukamara was a solid player for the Bears from 2017 to 2019. He's gone now though. Thus far the team really hasn't found a true replacement for him. Kevin Toliver? Tre Roberson? Artie Burns? All of them have high upside but limited experience. It wouldn't be a surprise if the team looked to add another name to that mix. Similar to what they do at guard.
Hill comes with concerns about his limited size and lack of blazing speed. Yet when one watches him on tape, they see a quick and physical cornerback who is effective in press coverage. Most see him as a future slot player. He doesn't have the ideal traits, which is why he lasted this long. Still, he's a competitor and finds a way to make plays.
6th Round (Pick #201 via PHI) - Cameron Brown, ILB, Penn State
Losing Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis is tough for the Bears, eating into their depth at inside linebacker. Given the recent health history of Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan, it might be a good idea for them to add more help in that area. Somebody with the style of game that fits their system and might develop into something more.
Cameron Brown is a perfect example. He is a big dude at 6'5, 230 lbs. He moves well and has a reputation for being a great blitzer. The concerns lay with his lack of feel in coverage and his tendency to misdiagnose plays. Things that can be corrected with some time to develop. Time the Bears can afford to give him.
7th Round (Pick #227 via LAV) - Joe Reed, WR, Virginia
Remember that desire for speed mentioned earlier? It makes perfect sense to have two guys who can run rather than just one. Reed is not a finished product in any sense as a wide receiver. His route runner needs a lot of work and he'll have to get strong if he wants to handle NFL cornerbacks. Hence why he ends up going this late.
All that being said, the kid is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is one of the best kick returners in the country, scoring five touchdowns between 2017 and 2019 for the Cavaliers. Offensively, he is a threat to house it when given the ball in space. He'll need lots of polish as a receiver but will be an immediate benefit on special teams.
7th Round (Pick #234) - Danny Pinter, OL, Ball State
Sometimes the scheme can mean everything to a player. Teams have a tendency to seek out those names who can fit any scheme and can sometimes miss players who fit them perfectly. The Bears have a particular type of offense. One predicated on zone blocking which requires athletic offensive linemen who can get out on the move.
It's crazy to imagine that Pinter was a tight end in 2017. He converted to offensive tackle and has added 50 lbs since. His power has improved and his understanding of technique did as well. He still has a ways to go as his fundamentals remain a work in progress. This should be a quality long-term backup for them who can play either guard or center.
Yes even in a Chicago Bears 2020 mock draft, settling for backups is important.
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