Latest NFL.com mock draft has Bears making surprise pick at No. 39
The Bears roster isn't solidified by any means. Both sides of the ball have questions at multiple positions, which often muddies the process of prioritizing picks come draft day. But when a team has its supposed-franchise quarterback entering their second year in the league, the process becomes a bit more clear. Especially when there is […]
The Bears roster isn't solidified by any means. Both sides of the ball have questions at multiple positions, which often muddies the process of prioritizing picks come draft day.
But when a team has its supposed-franchise quarterback entering their second year in the league, the process becomes a bit more clear. Especially when there is a noticeable lack of effective weapons around him.
Chicago needs quite a bit of help at the receiver position and along the offensive line, even after making multiple additions through free agency. One could also argue that tight end and running back need a lot of help, as well.
Which is why it was quite the surprise to see the Bears take safety Lewis Cine with the No. 39 overall pick in Chad Reuter's latest mock draft. Reuter is a draft expert for NFL.com and is widely considered as one of the best in the business, so it's not like it's just some kid in his mom's basement putting the idea into the atmosphere.
It's even more surprising when considering the names left on Reuter's board at the time of the pick. As expected, the biggest names at receiver are gone. However, there are still guys like Jahan Dotson, Skyy Moore, and Christian Watson on the board.
The latter name, Watson, is the main reason why Retuer's "choice" is a surprising one. A recent report has the Bears "hoping against hope" that Watson falls to them at 39. So, it seems like that would be their pick if he's available. It becomes even more apparent when realizing the fact that Watson probably won't be there at 48 when the Bears pick again.
Sure, the Bears need help at safety. As it currently stands, Eddie Jackson and DeAndre Houston-Carson are the only two safeties on the roster. But Fields' development is the Bears' No. 1 priority in 2022 and he won't take the necessary steps without the necessary help.
Cine would add great depth and depth is a necessity in the NFL. But this franchise is only going to go as far as Fields takes them and Eberflus and Co. know this. Therefore, any early selection (especially the Bears' first pick in the draft) that isn't an obvious stretch or doesn't immediately benefit Fields should be questioned and labeled a "surprise".
You can check out Reuter's full mock draft here.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
