Mel Kiper sends Bears offensive tackle, wide receiver in latest two-round mock draft
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. published a new two-round mock draft on Tuesday that sent the Chicago Bears much-needed help along the offensive line in the first round, and a surprise speedy wide receiver in Round 2.
At No. 20 overall, Kiper sent the Bears Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins is the last of four offensive tackles on whom I have first-round grades. A three-year starter at right tackle for Oklahoma State, he’s outstanding in the run game. He’d fill the spot created by the release of Bobbie Massie. Chicago could also be in play for a pass-rusher, though it has put a lot of capital toward Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. A young edge defender such as Jaelan Phillips could be a situational player as a rookie.
Jenkins is jockeying with Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw to be the third offensive tackle selected behind Oregon’s Penei Sewell and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater. He’d represent a great need-meets-value pick, and as the 2021 NFL Draft inches closer, it appears the Bears will be in a sweet spot or a quality offensive tackle in the first round, should they choose to go in that direction.
In Round 2 — No. 52 overall — the Bears make a surprise pick in Kiper’s mock: Auburn wide receiver, Anthony Schwartz:
Chicago is another team to watch for (Davis) Mills, and it has a hole at cornerback as well. With Anthony Miller’s future up in the air — he could be traded — Schwartz is a wideout who could take the top off the secondary and free up Allen Robinson in the red zone. Schwartz averaged just 11.8 yards per catch last season, but that was because of the way he was used; he has elite speed. New quarterback Andy Dalton will have to get better targets to hit on play-action deep balls.
This is the first mock draft that I’ve seen that has Schwartz as a second-rounder, let alone a pick for the Bears. I don’t see any way this selection actually happens. Schwartz is one of the fastest wideouts in this year’s class, but there’s no way the Bears would prioritize him over a cornerback like Asante Samuel Jr. (who Kiper has come off the board after Chicago’s pick) or even doubling up on offensive tackle (Kiper has several potential first-rounders at the position hanging around at this point in Round 2).
Kiper is the most in-the-know draft analyst in the industry, so his mock drafts at this time of year tend to carry the most value. Bears fans won’t be happy with this two-round haul if it comes to fruition, but buckle up: if Kiper says it’s possible, then it’s possible.
