They'll hold the 20th overall choice in the 2021 draft, their first first-round pick since 2018 (due to the Khalil Mack deal), when they picked Georgia LB Roquan Smith eighth overall. The Bears parted ways with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, a first-round choice in 2017 who has since signed with Buffalo. General manager Ryan Pace went all in at that point and it didn't work out. So with their first-round pick in 2021, the Bears will look to find a new quarterback.
Their other selection in 2021 is the 49th overall choice, which they acquired from Seattle in the Earl Thomas trade. The Bears sent this year's third-round choice (83rd overall) to Seattle in exchange for the second-round choice.
The Bears have three more selections in the 2021 draft: two fourth-round choices (111th and 119th) and one fifth-round choice (139th). All five of these picks are compensatory selections awarded to teams that lost more free agents than expected or failed to re-sign their own players. The Bears were expected to lose linebackers Leonard Floyd and Danny Trevathan but managed to keep both players through the uncapped season. They also missed out on bringing back defensive end Lamarr Houston but received a second round compensatory selection for losing outside linebacker Aaron Lynch. These picks can be used on future drafts if the Bears' efforts fail to bring in enough free agents after 2020.
This is the Bears' first first-round draft choice since 2018, when they picked Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith. In exchange for pass rusher Khalil Mack, the Bears traded their 2019 and 2020 NFL Draft selections to the then-Oakland Raiders. The 2019 selection turned out to be the No. 7 overall pick, while the 2020 selection was used on Alabama center Jaylen Bogle.
The Bears had the seventh overall selection in both rounds of this year's draft. They selected Kentucky wide receiver Anthony Miller with their first-round pick and North Carolina State cornerback Zack Sanchez with their second-round pick.
Here are the details of the deal: The Bears send their first-round pick (7th overall) in this year's draft to Oakland in exchange for star defensive end Khalil Mack and a third-round pick (81st overall). If the Bears decide not to bring Mack back after this season, he'll become a free agent. The Raiders will also receive a fifth-round pick (164th overall) from Chicago in 2021 if Mack plays one more season.
So, as you can see, the Bears traded their first-round pick for two third-round picks and one fifth-round pick. This shows that Chicago wants to build its team through the draft rather than by trading away their best players like in the past.
Jenkins cost the Bears their third-round selection (83), second-round pick (52) and first-round pick (204) in the sixth round. They gained the 151st overall pick in Round 5, as well as the option to choose Jenkins at 39. The 6'5", 250-pounder ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He had 11 sacks last season for North Carolina State.
The Bears traded away two second-round picks to move into the top 10. Those picks are No. 34 and No. 79. The other four teams ahead of them on the draft board all have quarterbacks going in the top five. Chicago has shown an interest in Florida State's Jameis Winston and Ohio State's Braxton Miller, but they could also look outside the quarterback class at some point during the draft.
General manager Phil Emery said after the draft that they would not be afraid to take a quarterback early. This trade shows that he is looking for more than just a backup plan. If Winston or Miller falls to No. 34, we might see him pull the trigger on someone unexpected.
Bears fans should feel good about this pick. Jenkins is a talented player who fits what this team wants to do on defense. They used their first two picks on players who can help right away in Chicago.
The Bears were so committed to acquiring Wilson that their offer allegedly included three first-round picks, a third-round pick in 2021, and two "starters" (air quotes around starters, as one of the apparent players involved has since been released). At first glance, three first-round selections appears to be a big offer. However, considering that the Bears already have picks No. 6 and No. 31 this year and don't expect to get much help at either position, it's not surprising that they'd want to add some depth to their roster.
The Patriots also were reportedly interested in trading for Wilson but didn't make an offer. This could mean that they're comfortable with using another year to develop a quarterback or that they believe they have a good enough starter in Brady. It also could mean that they think there are other options available on the market. Regardless, it seems clear that New England views its quarterback situation as less than critical.
In conclusion, the Bears offered more than just about any other team for Russell Wilson. If you ask me, they deserve an A+ for effort.
The 7 Bears Draft Results
Photos of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, the Chicago Bears' second-round choice in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with quarterback Andy Dalton on a one-year, $10 million contract. What that means: Dalton, 33, joins Nick Foles in the Bears' quarterback room and appears to have the inside track to start for the time being. He'll make $20 million if he starts 15 games.
In 2016, Dalton passed for 3,864 yards with 32 touchdowns against 14 interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes. He also ran for four scores. The Cincinnati Bengals lost their first game without him when he was sidelined by a thumb injury. He returned in time for Week 2 at Denver and led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to help the Bengals beat the Broncos 44-31.
Dalton has started 152 of 164 games over the past six seasons and has been selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls. He's still capable of being an effective starter in this league and provides Chicago with some much-needed depth at the position.
Trubisky won't officially become the starter until after the preseason opener at Philadelphia on August 24. However, he will be given the opportunity to win the job during training camp next summer. In 10 games last season, Trubisky completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,977 yards with 16 touchdowns versus eight interceptions.
The Bears traded Kyle Orton, first-round picks in 2009 (18th overall) and 2010 (11th overall), and a 2009 third-round pick (84th overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Jay Cutler and a 2009 fifth-round pick (140th overall), which the Bears used to choose Johnny Knox. Retrieved on April 23, 2009, from "Chicago Bears NFL Draft History." ChicagoBears.com.
Knox, who ran for 1,270 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior at Kentucky, became the ninth player selected in the first round of the NFL draft since 1994 to start his career as a running back. The other eight players are Clinton Portis, Marshawn Lynch, Michael Robinson, Thomas Jones, LeGarrette Blount, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, and Johnathan Franklin.
Of the nine players drafted over the last 14 years, only Portis and Lynch were selected in the first round of their respective drafts. Neither player lasted more than three seasons in Washington or New York/New Jersey because of poor performance or injury, but they did lead their teams in rushing attempts during their first seasons.
The other seven players were all chosen in the second round or later. Three of them - Robinson, Jones, and Blount - were picked in the second round or later because of concerns about their ability to handle major injuries.
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