2021 Bears NFL Draft Recap

It’s all in the books, and despite having limited picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, I think Bears GM made the best of it. I have been one of Ryan Pace’s biggest critics, but I have to give him the credit he and the Bears deserve when he gets it right.

Round 1: There was a lot of chatter of the Bears moving up into the top ten in the 2021 draft to get one of the top QBs. This was my biggest fear actually, given his track record with QBs, and trading up. Well, he didn’t trade into the top ten, but he traded up with the Giant’s who were just outside, at 11. He managed to get a top QB, and possibly the best in the draft in Justin Fields, from the Ohio State University. Whether Fields works out as a pro, the move was a good one. Pace only gave up a 2022 1st and 4th, then swapped “ones” from this year, and a 5th from this year. In the past, and even this year, other teams have given up far more. If Fields works out, this will go down as a huge steal.

Round 2: Pace again traded up and selected OL Tevin Jenkins from Oklahoma State, who was listed by many as a first round prospect. Jenkins played mostly Right Tackle, but had some games on the left side as well. The Bears badly needed some help on the offensive line, and they seemed to get a really good one.

Round 3-4: Pace lost the 4th round in trade last year, and used their third to move up to get Jenkins.

Round 5: Bears had a long wait in between picks upon selecting OT Larry Borom from Missouri. At 6’5 and 332 lbs he looks like he could anchor the right side of the line for many years to come.

Round 6: The Bears drafted 3 players in the 6th round:

Kalil Herbert, RB: Virginia Tech- At 5’9, 204 lbs he seems to be agile and tough enough to run the ball in the NFL. He will add some depth to the Bears current RB corps of Montgomery and Williams. He can also make an impact in the punt and kick return game. He could also be used in the passing game.

Dazz Newsome, WR: North Carolina- Dazz is in the mold of Miller and Mooney as he is 5’10, 185 lbs. I do not know how fast he is, but he had a 1000 yard season in 2019. The Bears needed another WR to pair with Mooney and ARob, perhaps Newsome will be the guy.

Thomas Graham Jr., CB: Oregon- Graham adds depth to the Bears DB corps. They needed it since they lost Kyle Fuller and slot corner Buster Skrine. At 5’10, 195, Thomas should compete to be a slot/Nickel corner and play special teams

Round 7: Kyiris Tonga, DT: BYU- Tonga adds depth to the D-line. At 6’3, 326 looks to make immediate impact as a run stuffer.

Fantasy Impact: 2021 NFL Mock Draft: 1-32

The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. It will be a little different as we make our way through the Pandemic. Grab a beverage and let’s see where it takes us! As usual, I am doing this through the perspective of what I feel would be best for the Fantasy aspect for each team, not where I think the players will go. Sometimes it lines up, but sometimes, not so much!

1. Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence, QB: LSU– This is one of those instances where my pick and the consensus, line up. Lawrence has been thought of as the #1 QB by many and the Jags badly need a QB. Jacksonville also owns the 25th and 33rd picks in the draft, so they could move back up the draft if they choose, or stay put and collect talent.
2. Jets- Zach Wilson, QB: BYU– Wilson has been rocket up boards. This could easily be any one of the remaining QBs. I think Wilson or Fields would be ideal.
3. 49ers- Mac Jones, QB: Alabama– Again, this could be any one of the remaining top QBs.
4. Falcons- Justin Fields, QB: OSU– Falcons need to reboot. Fields could turn out to be the best QB in this year’s draft.
5. Bengals- Penei Sewell, OT: Oregon– Gotta protect their QB a little better than they did last year.
6. Dolphins- Ja’Marr Chase, WR: LSU- They got their QB last year, now they need playmakers around him.
7. Lions- Jaylen Waddle, WR: Alabama- They could probably use help on the offensive line, but Detroit is also thin at WR. Both make sense to me.
8. Panthers- Reshawn Slater, OT: Northwestern- Panthers are in a good spot, but have many needs. I think they may be in a position for teams that want to move up and take a QB. If not, bolstering their Offensive line is not a bad way to go.
9. Broncos- Patrick Surtain II, CB: Alabama- Fangio had a good on in Kyle Fuller in Chicago. Surtain certainly has the blood line. Should be a good fit for the Broncos.
10. Cowboys- Kyle Pitts, TE: Florida- Could also take a WR here if there is one to their liking. Pitts would be interesting to pair with what they have now.
11. Giants- DeVonta Smith, WR: LSU- They need a bigtime WR.
12. Eagles- Jalen Phillips, DE: Miami- Eagles may be better served to move down because they need a lot of help. If they stay here DE is probably biggest need. RB or WR would not surprise me.
13. Chargers- Christian Darrisaw, OT: Virginia Tech- The Chargers probably could use a nifty WR for second year QB I think the top 3 should be off the board. It’s always nice to get that rock at LT, so that makes sense to me.
14. Vikings- Jaycee Horn, CB: South Carolina- Vikings have many needs and corner is one of them. Probably a good idea when you are in the division with Aaron Rodgers.
15. Patriots- Trey Lance, QB: NDSU- They may have to trade up, but I think there will be one of the top QBs here. It would be on brand for the Bears to trade up into the top 10 and take the 5th best QB…just sayin’.
16. Cardinals- Jamin Davis, LB: Kentucky- This could be a huge reach, but I think they go best player available.
17. Raiders- Kwity Paye, Edge: Michigan- Could be any number of defensive players.
18. Dolphins- Gregory Rousseau, Edge: Miami-
19. Washington FT- Teven Jenkings, OT: Oklahoma State- Washington adds much needed help to their O-line.
20. Bears- Greg Newsome II, CB: Northwestern- The Bears need a lot of help. Even if they make cap room to keep ARob, they need a #2 WR. They also need a CB to pair with Jaylon Johnson. I have seen the Bears trading up or drafting a QB at 20. I think both would be a mistake. The Bears will not likely be Fantasy relevant in 2021- both by talent and the opponents they play. Yeah, it’s sad. If one of the top tackles in the draft should fall, I think they might consider that first. They have done a horrible job protecting the QB since Pace has been the GM.
21. Colts- Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL: USC- Solid pick for Indy
22. Titans- Elijah Moore, WR: Ole Miss- Titans need more playmakers on offense.
23. Jets- Terrance Marshal Jr., WR: LSU- Jets have many needs, and can go in several directions. Marshall would be great to pair with a young QB.
24. Steelers- Najee Harris, RB: Alabama- I’d say OL might be the bigger need, but Harris might be too good to pass up. The Steelers have been great at drafting year in and year out, so who knows.
25. Jaguars- Kadarius Toney, WR: Florida- Might be too high for a slot receiver but this dude has some serious moves. Maybe Jax trades down with a team moving up to get a lower tier QB.
26. Browns- Caleb Farley, CB: Vitginia Tech- Browns shore up the defense. VT has a bit of a record of putting out solid corners.
27. Ravens- Zaven Collins, LB: Tulsa- Ravens have a track record of drafting Linebackers. I see this trend continue.
28. Saints- Kellen Mond, QB: Texas A&M- Saints get their future QB.
29. Packers- Jerimiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB: Notre Dame- Green Bay does an excellent job restocking. I can see them taking an OL, CB, or another WR as well.
30. Bills- Azeez Ojulari, Edge: Georgia- Need more production out of the DL.
31. Chiefs- Liam Eichenberg, OT: Notre Dame-Chiefs need some O-lineman.
32. Buccaneers- Jaysonn Oweh, Edge: Penn State- The Bucs could probably use another WR, but DL seems like a need too.

Prettier Now

Prettier Now

4-18-21

The skinny girl with the curly hair

She’s so beautiful sitting there

She holds her cards

So close to herself

She cannot trust, she cannot help

The tall dark dude with all the tattoos

He’s nervous for no reason too

He’s got the looks, he’s got the charm

But he can’t escape his world of harm

There’s a place inside we all will run

It’s in our heads and it’s never fun

We’re all so much better

We’re all so damn flawed

Our frozen dreams never

Seem to thaw

Five pounds heavier

Five ponds to gain

Nickle and diming us

So damn insane

She’s prettier now

Than she’ll ever be

She might not see it

Unfortunately

He’s prettier now

Inside and out

He won’t believe it

Head filled with doubt

Don’t Waste Another Day

Don’t Waste Another Day

4-11-21

I must have been dreaming

I saw your face

You were just standing

I was running in place

You were smiling

I wish it was for me

You had somebody

I was still free

That’s how things go

That’s how things go

Time likes to keep moving

Time likes to flow

I’ve wasted more than my share

Building up hope

It springs eternal

It blocks out the sun

It kicks like a donkey

It hits like a gun

There’s one thing I hope you take away

Don’t lose it, don’t waste another day

Run

Run

1-27-00

I’m running in my mind, again

I don’t believe it’s what I find

That has me so alarmed

I’m doing all the hard time alone

I wonder when I’ll see you

Walking back into my waiting arms

I’m searching all the barren roads

All the places that we might have been

And the ones we hope to go

I’m losing all the battles fought

It’s true that I’m not holding up as well as I’d like to be

And I’m thinking….

If it wasn’t for the miles, and the distance we’re apart

I could be in love with you, if I could trust my heart

If it wasn’t for eternity, we could make a start

Together we could make it real- but we are apart

I’m going through the letters that you sent

And there’s a sadness in my heart

I don’t think I could escape

I’m running in my dreams again

I don’t think it’s possible, but still I try

To touch your perfect face

The silence drives me to the edge

Sanity has never been equated with

The feelings that are love

And I’m thinking…

If it wasn’t for the miles, and the distance we’re apart

I could be in love with you, if I could trust my heart

If it wasn’t for eternity, we could make a start

Together we could make it real- but we are apart

One Life, One Love

One Life, One Love

4-10-21

It’s our time

Baby we could make it if we want to

Blurred lines

Having trouble coloring within them now

Being safe for safety’s sake

Is that the way it has to be?

Talk to me; don’t shut me out, don’t shut me down

You were my girl, it could be the same but different

We only have this one life to live

We only have this one love to give

We’ve both made mistakes

Let’s not make another

Let’s not waste another day

When we can be together

If you could only have 3 movies?

I was thinking about this today. At first I thought, one movie, but no. That’s too hard. So what would your 3 movies be? Would you pick your absolute favorites or would you diversify?

My favorite movie of all time is Heat with Pacino and DeNiro. It’s not something I would watch all the time though. It’s long, first of all, and it doesn’t have a real happy ending. I’d hate myself, but it probably won’t make this list.

The Big Lebowski- Full disclosure, I was a little late to the party on this one. I wanted to see it in the theaters but at the time, I didn’t know anyone who would have wanted to watch it- or so I thought. Turns out a few people I knew actually liked the movie. I was working at Blockbuster at the time, and a coworker suggested it. Damn near changed my life. It does not have the happiest of endings, but the journey is epic, and it puts lots of smiles on my face!

The Replacements- When I saw this in the theater, I knew I’d be buying it on DVD. What I didn’t know is it would be a yearly tradition with a friend of mine to watch on the eve of a new NFL football season. I might watch it a couple more times, but I have to watch it the night before the first game, at a minimum. Great cast, great soundtrack, and it always puts me in the mood for some football.

Pirates of the Caribbean- Another movie I knew I’d be buying on DVD as soon as it came out, as well as a movie I saw 3 times in the theater. Loved it from the minute Captain Jack Sparrow walked off his sinking ship and onto the docks. Is he the worse pirate? Is he the best pirate?

Man, I know- No Star Wars, no Princess Bride. I would love to throw Midnight Run in there too. So what would be your 3 movies?

Excellent Tree

Excellent Tree

4-9-21

Tall and majestic

Proudly you stand

Ever so green

Ever so grand

Throughout the years

You bring us your shade

Stature undaunted

Choices you made

Decades from now

You will be there

Rising higher

This is so clear

Excellent tree

You are my friend

You never break

Though you may bend

Excellent tree

I wish I could tell you

All of the things

That I hold inside

Bears Keep All Options Open As Allen Robinson Signs Franchise Tag

News broke around 7:45pm local time from NFL insider, Ian Rapapport who tweeted out Robinson had signed his franchise tag with the Bears. He will get $18m and can negotiate a long term deal with the club. It is not stated whether it is an exlusive rights tag, or lesser level. The exclusive rights tag gives the Bears the opportunity to match any offer, or get first round compensation should Robinson sign with another team.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/report-bears-allen-robinson-signs-18-million-franchise-tag/

I’m a little surprised the Bears tagged Robinson. It does keep their options open if they want to trade him if another team makes an offer. The Bears are about $10M over the salary cap at current time. They did cut CB Kyle Fuller, so that should free up about $20M in cap space. They are also allowing DT Akiem Hicks to seek out a trade.

Having just signed QB Andy Dalton, they might actually make an attempt to compete in 2021. It’s going to be a rough road given the opponents they are set to face. It will be interesting to see what other moves they will make going forward.

Bears sign QB Andy Dalton

In kind of a puzzling move, the Bears sign former Bengals, and Cowboys quarterback, Andy Dalton. The move is puzzling on a couple fronts. First, It’s $10M they could have used somewhere else, and second, they already have a journeyman QB in Nick Foles. It is neither an marked upgrade nor a cheaper option.

The plot thickens: It’s a one year $10M deal with incentives. Dalton had issues in Cincinnati and wasn’t so great in Dallas with more talent around him. The Bears Offensive line needs help, and they will more than likely need at least one wide receiver to replace departing receiver Allen Robinson.

My theory? I think It’s a desperate move at trying to be respectable while the Bears set themselves up to get Russell Wilson next year, or draft a younger QB, and buy themselves (Pace and Nagy) more time. 2021 is going to be a tough year. The Bears opponents are the AFC North, in addition to the division, the NFC West They also play the Giants and Bengals.

Unless there is another move impending, the Bears are in for a season without much positivity or winning. This is another move that proves ownership should have cut ties with both Pace, and Nagy at season’s end.