Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: Two Trades Cause Massive Shake-Up
By Todd Welter
4. Cole Bishop Replaces Eddie Jackson (No. 75 Overall)
Cole Bishop. . Safety. . Cole Bishop. 843. Todd Draft Piece First 3rd Round . Third Round, No. 75 Overall Pick. 3. player
The Bears released veteran free safety Eddie Jackson. Elijah Hicks played okay while Jackson missed time last season with injuries, but Poles has prioritized using Day Two picks to build up the secondary.
That is why it would not be a shock to see the Bears take a safety in the third round. Bishop is the eighth-best safety according to NFLDraftBuzz.com.
He plays the run well and can hold his own in pass protection. Bishop had 7.5 career sacks at Utah and three interceptions. Bishop had a fumble recovery and a pass defensed against Caleb Williams.
Bishop has good size and can cover tight ends along with slot receivers. He also had an impressive Senior Bowl.
Cole Bishop Shines During Reese's Senior Bowl Practiceshttps://t.co/9yVaHsBpTL
— FanNation AllUtes (@FN_AllUtes) February 1, 2024
4. Ja'Tavion Sanders Gives the Bears a Versatile TE2 (No. 81 Overall)
. Third Round, No. 81 Overall Pick. Ja'Tavion Sanders. 3. . Tight End. 467. Ja'Tavion Sanders. Todd Draft Piece Second 3rd round. player
Cole Kmet has become a bonafide No. 1 tight end. The Bears could use a second tight end. Waldron likes to use multiple tight-end sets.
Enter Sanders.
First of all, he is an excellent blocker.
Ja’Tavion Sanders is a freaking DUDE. Texas closed out the Baylor game just flipping this tight bunch and running right off 0’s ass. man, is he fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/WYfB3Sf1Xv
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) July 6, 2023
He helped open up some holes for Bijan Robinson in 2022 and current Bears' running back Roschon Johnson. Sanders can also stretch the field in the passing game.
Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders is an excellent vertical weapon in passing game. Excellent acceleration & athleticism. pic.twitter.com/ZujL8BKU6R
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 19, 2024
He is the second-best tight end prospect according to NFLDraftBuzz.com. He has the most receptions of any Longhorns tight end with 99 career catches. He ranks second all-time in Texas history in yards for a tight end.
Sanders produced 75 yards on six catches in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. He dominated Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game with eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. He was also impressive against Alabama in an early-season matchup with five grabs for 114 yards.
He had five touchdown catches in 2022.
Sanders would be a great addition to the offense that could help the run and passing attack.