Chicago Bears NFL Draft 2021: 5 underrated first-round targets
By Ryan Heckman
Underrated first-round targets for the Chicago Bears: WR Terrace Marshall, LSU
Like Eichenberg, LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall is typically mocked in the late first or early second round. If the Bears took him at number 20 overall, some might argue they could have traded back while recouping a draft pick and still being able to draft Marshall.
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However, if Pace is convicted, he’ll have no problem taking the player he sees as his guy. Marshall just might be it, and would round out a wide receiving core that would immediately be a strength of this team.
Andy Dalton would have Allen Robinson, Marshall, and Darnell Mooney as his top three receivers to go along with David Montgomery and Cole Kmet, among others. If Dalton couldn’t perform with the likes of that arsenal, then he and Pace could both be gone next year (queue the cheers).
People forget that Marshall is as formidable a receiver as you could ask for coming out of college. Just because he played third fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, some overlook his skill set. Let’s not forget, Marshall caught 13 touchdowns while sharing the field with those two in 2019.
Marshall is 6-foot-3 and gives the Bears size, strength and excellent hands at the position. He can play both outside and in the slot, which would allow the Bears to figure out where Mooney might be most comfortable as well. More than likely, Marshall could man the slot while the team waves goodbye to Anthony Miller. Pick 20 may be a little early, but Marshall is still an excellent player and shouldn’t be overlooked there.