NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears are approaching what might be GM Ryan Pace’s most important draft. It could also very well be his last. With holes to fill throughout the roster and eight picks at his disposal, Pace sets out on a weekend in search of impact talent and players with upside. With all eyes on the 2021 NFL Draft, let’s check out some of the more promising draft-eligible prospects who have been rumored to be persons of interest.
Previous targets: QB Justin Fields, OL Teven Jenkins, QB Mac Jones, QB Trey Lance, QB Kellen Mond, QB Davis Mills
Today: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Performance, Rankings, Accomplishments
• Measurements: 6-5, 236 pounds, 33-inch arms, 10-1/8-inch hands
• 2020 stats: 5 games, 129/195 (66.2%), 1,508 passing yards, 7 TD, 3 INT; 30 rushes, 37 yards, 3 TD
• Career stats: 14 games, 287/438 (65.5%), 3,468 yards, 18 TD, 8 INT; 63 rushes, 86 yards, 3 TD; 1 catch, 8 yards, 1 TD
• Accomplishments: Heisman Trophy finalist (2020), Second-team All-SEC (2020)
• Position ranking: 7th (ESPN), 6th (Pro Football Focus), 8th (The Draft Network), 8th (Pro Football Network)
The NFL.com Draft Profile Says…
“Trask is clearly a skilled passer, but it’s hard to find evidence of him being able to play chess at this point against what NFL defenses are likely to show him.”
You can read the full profile here.
Bears Connection
The Bears had a good look at Trask’s coming out party in November. That’s when Trask threw 6 touchdown passes against Arkansas. Not a bad time to have the game of your life with one of the most QB-starved franchises in attendance.
Highlights
Trask’s 46 touchdown passes were the most in college football season. Re-live the magic below:
Where’s the Fit?
Once viewed as a potential first-round pick, Trask was recently name-checked in a report about possible Day 2 quarterback prospects for the Bears (and others). In other words, if Chicago can’t move up to draft a QB in Round 1, Trask could conceivably land on the team’s list of Day 2 fall-back options.
The case for drafting Trask begins and ends with his gaudy production at Florida last year. Trask was a Heisman Trophy finalist after a season in which he threw the pigskin all over the field like it was nobody’s business. Having Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney helps matters. But Trask’s tape shows enough arm strength and touch for quarterback coaches to dream on. It’s just that his thriving against man defenses and struggles versus zone coverage reminds me of a quarterback the Bears just watched walk away as a free agent. And because of that, I’m hesitant to want to invest draft capital on Trask.
Chicago might feel otherwise. Between Trask’s size, arm strength, and willingness to throw deep, a coach with faith in their own talents would likely believe they could get the most out of Trask. It’ll take that type of belief, plus execution of a developmental plan, to unlock Trask’s talents.
