The dust settled in the 2020 NFL season and the fireworks are about to be lit in a free agency, with the Chicago Bears already making headlines as one of the first teams mentioned in all commercial quarterback speculation.
General manager Ryan Pace will pull the trigger for a quarterback at some point and in some way during this off-season, either through negotiation, free agency or in the NFL’s 2021 Draft.
With the Bears holding the 20th overall choice, it is unlikely that any of the best quarterback players would fall for them in the first round. And while they are likely to enter the weekend draft with a new starter already on the list, this simulated draft will assume that is not the case.
So what would the 2021 draft look like after all is said and done? Here is a scenario:
Round 1: ALIJAH VERA-TUCKER | OL | USC
If the Bears are not defenders in the first round, the next logical priority is the offensive line, and Vera-Tucker makes more sense for the offensive line players who are likely to be available in 20th place overall.
Not only does he have immediate starting talent in the NFL, but he is also able to line up with the first team both in attack and on guard. For a squad like the one in Chicago, which has weaknesses and vulnerabilities across the offensive line, Vera-Tucker’s positional versatility is a big advantage.