Chicago Bears will select one of these players in first round of 2021 NFL Draft
By Ryan Heckman
Best available for the Chicago Bears at pick 20: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
This would be more of a luxury pick for the Bears, but it would also mean that Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are out of excuses. If the offense doesn’t score points, then both of them should be fired in 2022.
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Thankfully, the Bears were able to lock in Allen Robinson for this coming season after he chose to sign his franchise tender. However, both the Bears and Robinson still have work to do. A long-term deal must be worked out by July 15 for Robinson to not only stick around for a while, but for the Bears’ offense not to take a huge hit.
If Rashod Bateman is there at no. 20, and he should be, then it will be extremely difficult to pass on him. Adding another true threat opposite of Robinson on the outside means this offense could take it to the next level — finally.
The 6-foot-2 Bateman has everything you want in an outside receiver. He’s plenty fast while possessing a very strong frame that can go up and out-muscle defensive backs for 50-50 balls. He could end up being one of the better picks in this year’s draft, depending on where he goes.
Picturing a strong running game picking up where it left off a year ago with David Montgomery’s breakout, plus Robinson and Bateman on the outside and Darnell Mooney in the slot is a pretty picture. The only question would be, who is their quarterback? If it’s Andy Dalton, the Bears really shouldn’t have a problem putting at least some points on the board. Sure, last year Dalton struggled with some mighty offensive weapons in Dallas, but his line was also putrid.
Could Bateman be the key ingredient to the Bears’ offense in 2021? He would certainly give this team a nice arsenal of playmakers, that’s for sure.