The Senior Bowl Was Loaded With the Type of Offensive Talent the Bears Need to Target on Draft Day

Mac Jones Didn’t Play, So Kellen Mond Got to Shine

Matthew Stafford going off the board means we’re one step closer to putting a hyper-focus on potential first-round quarterbacks. This isn’t to say the Bears can’t sign one or acquire an option via trade. It’s just that each QB who gets snatched up elsewhere means we move closer to a reality in which drafting a quarterback is Chicago’s best option. And if the Bears stick at 20, I think their best bet at the position might be Alabama’s Mac Jones.

Jones didn’t play in the Senior Bowl after tweaking an ankle, but he made a strong impression throughout practice.

Jones practicing his way at the Senior Bowl into becoming a top-10 pick in April is bold. But we’re no strangers to seeing meteoric rises from quarterbacks. If Jones practiced as well as on-lookers suggest, then he is a mortal lock for the first round. And if that turns out to be the case, there’s a chance Bears might need to look elsewhere when it comes to quarterback draft options.

Kellen Mond won the Senior Bowl MVP … and with good reason:

.@TheKellenMond rn: 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

📺 Reese's @seniorbowl live on @NFLNetwork#GigEm pic.twitter.com/qvL7xpl8Zp

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) January 30, 2021

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1355628315227262976

"It's a huge sign of everything that I've worked for."@seniorbowl MVP @TheKellenMond (@AggieFootball) joined @movethesticks and @andrewsiciliano! pic.twitter.com/ijIVIwCHYp

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 30, 2021

Mond owns some worthwhile tools, athleticism, and moxie worth working with as a prospect. Thriving at Senior Bowl week isn’t necessarily an indicator of great things to come, but it’s a sign that a quarterback can work through some tough situations. If the Bears are looking for depth and competition in the later rounds, then Mond is worth a deeper dive.

Running Backs and Receivers Steal the Show

No, I don’t expect Bears fans to agree on which prospects the team should target in the upcoming NFL Draft. But we can all agree there should be a focus on the offensive side of the ball. Investing in players with speed and play-making ability should be a priority for GM Ryan Pace and his scouting staff. Every year, standout players make a name for themselves at the Senior Bowl. This year was no exception.

I’d love a guy like Demetric Felton on #DaBears in 2021. Need more flexible and versatile playmakers on offense.

( 📹 via @nflnetwork ) pic.twitter.com/xha4onQT0g

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 30, 2021

As explained in the tweet above, the Bears could use the type of versatile playmaker Demetric Felton has the potential to be at the next level. His experience as a running back and skills as a pass-catcher make him the kind of multi-positional, all-purpose threat Chicago’s offense needs to add. If you’ve watched the playoffs, then you’ve noticed how Andy Reid uses players like Mecole Hardman and Tyreek Hill out in patterns and out of the backfield. It would be neat if the Bears tapped into that line of thinking and usage.

https://twitter.com/FarabaughFB/status/1354535694673326091

The tweet above says everything I’d otherwise want to type here. I thoroughly enjoy watching Amari Rodgers play football. The combination of route-running, play-making, and assertiveness in his game screams future playmaker. Where do I sign up to get someone like him on the Bears?

Offensive Linemen?

Yeah, I liked watching Michael Carter run hard to pay dirt. But I’m all about the push from these offensive linemen:

While we’re on the topic, #DaBears should draft some of these offensive linemen! pic.twitter.com/7raIHx1X6U

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 30, 2021

There’s plenty of uncertainty regarding the future of the Bears’ line. And to that end, they would be wise to give a whole mess of these guys a deep look. Because while this draft has a number of quality players who should be snagged in the first two rounds, there are depth options and potential starters who could be drafted later on draft weekend.

I liked how Alex Bars and Sam Mustipher grew as young starters last year in a pinch. That is a testament to Juan Castillo (and Harry Hiestand before him). Seeing those young players step up and contribute makes me want the Bears to find more diamond-in-the-rough types to bring along for the ride.