Chicago Bears: 8 can’t-miss 2021 prospects to start tanking for

7. RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

Drafting a first-round running back is a dangerous idea for most, but when you have the opportunity to take a game-changer like Travis Etienne, it’s tough to pass up.

The Bears’ run game has been atrocious in 2020. It has not all been on David Montgomery, though. The offensive line is a complete mess and play-calling is at an all-time, embarrassing low in the hands of Nagy.

However, Etienne is a difference-maker at the running back position. This pick would be assuming the Bears are going to address the offensive line in the draft and free agency as well. Let’s assume Chicago is on the board around pick 15, for example, and Etienne is on the board.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1315111842604175360

If he’s there at that point, the Bears have to jump on the opportunity to bring him to Chicago. Etienne has the potential to influence a game such as guys like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara.

The most impressive part about Etienne’s season this year is the fact that he’s already matched his reception total from all of last season (37). The kid can catch the football and knows how to make moves after the fact. In Etienne, you’re looking at a player who has averaged nearly 8.0 yards per touch over his college career. He is a living, breathing, walking first down.

Next to Montgomery, Etienne should flourish. The Bears have not had a one-two punch at running back for quite a while now, and being able to roll two prototypical backs out there on any given play would be a luxury for the next play-caller in Chicago.