The Chicago Bears are a mature team with needs in various positions on the list, which makes next month’s NFL draft incredibly important for a team that we are told is in “win now” mode.
The quarterback remains the biggest concern for the Bears after a couple of weeks of flirting with the possibility of negotiating with Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback. After offering three first-round picks, a third-round pick and two players, Seattle told Chicago he would not change Wilson at this time.
Even after the Bears lost Wilson’s draw, they still manage to find their (potential) franchise quarterback without having to change to advance in the draft in a new draft drill.
In the new Touchdown Wire draft mock, Doug Farrar has Chicago as Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 20th overall selection.
If you’re wondering how Jones could fall to 20th in a draft where there are desperate teams in the quarterback position, Farrar has you covered.
Why would it go down to 20? Because the modern NFL requires quarterbacks to show mobility and second-ability reaction, and Jones hasn’t shown much of that. But it’s a great pocket engine (the combination of responsibility and assets is why many make fun of the Patriots), and maybe it can become a mid-league engine with boots and fighting drills. From day one, though, it’s an improvement over what the Bears bring to the position.
But the Bears aren’t betting on Jones to fall into the hands of No. 20, and they don’t look like they’ll change to grab one of those first five quarterbacks.
That’s why the second-day quarterbacks are reportedly doing a lot of homework, including Kyle Trask of Florida, Kellen Mond of Texas A&M, Jamie Newman of Georgia and Ian Book of Notre Dame.
Again, the belief is that Jones (or the other four best possible quarterback) will be far behind before Chicago’s turn comes at No. 20. But if Jones fell to the Bears in the first round, it would be hard to imagine The GM Ryan Pace passing over him.