This will be my final Chicago Bears focused mock draft of 2021. I considered several factors, and debated whether to post several different mocks with different scenarios.

Like any mock draft, a Bears mock draft hinges on the QB position. I wish I knew the mind of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. I wish I knew exactly how much leeway the Bears ownership has given their football brain trust in what could be their final draft together.

Will the Bears go all in on a move up in the first round to acquire a possible franchise QB? Will they bide their time and make a less significant, albeit still a major investment on the fourth or fifth QB off the board? Will they wait and take a chance on a day two QB?

I don’t honestly have the answer to any of those questions. All I can offer is what I hope they will do. I’ll add a couple caveats before presenting my final Bears mock draft.

First, everything depends on what San Francisco does with the #3 pick. If the 49ers do what many insiders believe they will and take Alabama QB Mac Jones at that spot, I think it would be in the Bears interest to be on the phone with the Atlanta Falcons about the number four pick.

The cost to move from #20 to #4 will be steep. You can bank on it costing both 2022 & 2023’s first round picks, and probably additional picks. SF paid that to Miami to move from 12 to 3, Atlanta will expect a similar haul. To complicate matters, and raise the price, Chicago will not be alone in this pursuit. Denver, New England and Washington could all be in the market and all have earlier picks than Chicago, if any are willing to add that third first rounder, Chicago will be forced to up the ante.

Is the price worth it? Maybe only for one guy. In my opinion, Justin Fields is the number 2 QB in this class, no disrespect to Zach Wilson. I’d be willing to sacrifice our first round picks until 2024 to get him. I would rather not lose our second and third rounders this year, but any other additional picks I’d consider. I think Fields is the Deshaun Watson of this class, he has the proven track record but for some reason is not given to respect I feel he deserves.

If the Niners pass on Fields at #3, Chicago should do everything in their power to move up to grab him.

If, on the other hand, San Francisco selects Fields or Chicago is outbid for the #4 pick, there is still a scenario where I’d be okay with the Bears trading up for a QB.

That scenario would involve Trey Lance falling out of the top ten. This could happen if SF takes Jones and Denver trades up to #4 for Fields. Cincinnati & Miami at 5 & 6 aren’t taking QBs, and likely aren’t trading out of those spots. Detroit at 7 and Carolina at 8 may take Lance if he’s there, but I’m doubtful. Detroit has Jared Goff and a dozen holes. They would be better served filling those needs than taking a QB this year. As for Carolina, they made the move for Sam Darnold and they have other needs as well. I see them going in a different direction.

Atlanta at 9 (after trading with Denver) is intriguing. I still think their biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball, and that Matt Ryan has some good football left in him. They could look to trade down again or take the top defensive player in the draft. For the sake of speculation, we’ll assume they do the latter.

We’re now to number 10. Dallas has signaled a willingness to trade down, and I think it’s more likely if Atlanta poaches Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II, who I believe the Cowboys have their sights set on. The Giants at #11 and Philly at 12 could also be willing trade partners. The key would be getting ahead of New England.

A move like this would still cost us next year’s first rounder, but probably not much more. If we can land Lance with a pick swap and 2022’s first, I’m all in.

I would not support a trade up for Mac Jones nor would I likely take him if he’s available at #20 for our pick. I’ve never been on board the Jones train, and I don’t see much difference between him and the next tier of QBs. Personally, I’d prefer to pass on Jones in the first and focus on OT or CB, I’d look to day two of the draft to find a QB to groom behind Andy Dalton.

And now, my final Chicago Bears seven round mock draft:

ROUND ONE, Pick #20- Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State: None of the trade up scenarios I mentioned came to pass, and I had some trade down offers but none that blew me away. I’ve zeroed in on Jenkins for awhile now, and would dearly love to add him to our offensive line.

He may strictly be a right tackle, but that is our biggest need on the line and he would solidify that spot for years to come. He plays with a mean streak our line has lacked since Kyle Long’s departure. I couldn’t be happier with this pick.

ROUND TWO, Pick #64- Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: Chicago has the 52nd pick currently, but I wasn’t enamored with anyone on the board and was open to trading back. It actually took a couple moves to end up at #64, but along the way I added a third rounder (#92) and fifth rounder (#176) this year, plus Kansas City’s 2022 fourth round pick. In addition to the 52nd pick, I sacrificed pick #204 and next year’s fifth rounder.

The big key for me was adding that extra third round pick, I was thinking it might come in handy in my pursuit of a QB.

After finally landing at #64, I found Rondale Moore just sitting there. I’ll be frank, I was targeting a CB in round two, but Moore is too enticing to pass up. A slot receiver with home run potential. The Tyreek Hill that Matt Nagy has been missing.

ROUND THREE, Pick #83- Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M: I’ve had my eye on Mond for awhile. Of the second tier of QBs, I feel Mond has the most upside. He’s got a strong arm and good athleticism. He’s been seasoned against the best competition in college football in the powerful SEC and has never looked outmatched. If we’re not getting a first round QB, Kellen Mond should be our next target.

ROUND FOUR, Pick #115- Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan: As it turned out, I didn’t need that extra third rounder to land my QB, so I moved down from #92 to #115. I was able to add a seventh round pick this year (#238) and Denver’s 2022 fourth rounder. I sacrificed next year’s seventh round pick as part of this move.

I wanted to address CB earlier, but the board didn’t work that way. Thomas is a pretty solid day three selection though. Had he not opted out of the 2021 season due to COVID concerns, he could have easily found himself going in the first 2 rounds. The lack of recent game tape slides him down the board, and Ryan Pace could have himself another day three gem.

ROUND FIVE, Pick #164- Michael Menet, C, Penn State: Sam Mustipher did a great job for us down the stretch in 2020, and he deserves the chance to lock down the starting gig, but it would be smart to bring in some competition. At the least, it could save us from moving Cody Whitehair or James Daniels to center because of injury. Both have been much better as guards. Menet possesses starting upside.

ROUND FIVE, Pick #176- Zech McPhearson, CB, Texas Tech: The Bears parted ways with both Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine this offseason. They signed Desmond Trufant to man the outside, but he’s merely a place holder. Thomas could eventually take that spot. Slot corner is a different story. Our current options in the slot are underwhelming, to say the least. McPhearson is strictly a slot corner, with some impressive traits. Worth using the extra fifth we picked up from TB earlier.

ROUND SIX, Pick #208- Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State: We picked up a dynamic slot receiver earlier, so our starting receiver corps is set. This pick is about depth and a contingency should we not lock up Allen Robinson long term. Darby has the upside to eventually move into a starting role on the outside.

In all honesty, after selecting Moore in the second round, it was my plan to find an X receiver later, I had my eye on Illinois WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, but he was selected before I got the chance. Darby offers enough potential to be a fine consolation prize.

ROUND SIX, Pick #221- Patrick Johnson, EDGE, Tulane: I wanted to come out of this draft with another Edge rushing prospect, if for no other reason than to add depth. I’ve looked closely at later round edge prospects and Johnson has stood out to me, mainly but not limited to the fact that he’s a true 3-4 outside linebacker. We won’t have to try to force a square peg into a round hole. He’ll offer value as a designated pass rusher early on and could eventually become an every down player.

ROUND SIX, Pick #228- Isaiah McDuffie, LB, Boston College: LB is probably Chicago’s area of least need. Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan comprise one of the better inside linebacker duos in the NFL and they have decent depth. Trevathan has lost a step over the years and Smith has yet to play a full season without missing some time, however. McDuffie adds depth and can be a solid, if unspectacular, pursuit LB if needed. If nothing else, he brings special teams value.

ROUND SEVEN, Pick #238- Cary Angeline, TE, NC State: Bears don’t currently have a seventh round pick, I acquired this from Dallas earlier.

Another tight end drafted by Ryan Pace?! Yes, I’m afraid so. Matt Nagy’s offense utilizes different types of TEs, and neither Cole Kmet nor Jimmy Graham offer the blocking skills that Angeline brings. He’s also an adept short yardage pass catcher.

In summary, it’s probably not realistic to think Chicago has much chance to move up to grab Justin Fields. Trey Lance probably isn’t falling out of the top ten, and I’m not willing to pay the price to move up as far as it would take. That’s not to say Ryan Pace isn’t willing to, but I hope not.

If Jenkins had been off the board at #20, I’d have probably explored a trade down more closely. Texas OT Samuel Cosmi or Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley would be my late first round targets.

If we don’t land a tackle in round one, I’d look for North Dakota State OT Dillon Radunz or Notre Dame OT Liam Eichenberg in round two. Florida State CB Asante Samuel Jr. is another round two target.

Depending on how the draft goes, Chicago may need to use their second rounder on QB. If we miss out on Mond, Stanford’s Davis Mills or Florida’s Kyle Trask are options, though I’d only take Trask in the third round.

I would have liked to add some defensive line depth, but the board never really worked out for that. Texas A&M IDL Bobby Brown III & BYU IDL Khyiris Tonga are later round names to watch.

I considered a second OT with a late sixth rounder or that acquired seventh round selection. Josh Ball of Marshall is a name to watch there.

In every previous Bears mock draft, I’ve had them taking a safety at some point, but that was before they re-signed Tashaun Gipson. At the right value, it could happen, but safety is one of Chicago’s lower priorities now.

I passed on some interior offensive lineman because I’d rather find one capable of playing center. I think Whitehair and Daniels are fine, capable guards, with Whitehair especially having Pro-Bowl capabilities. Other day three centers I’ve looked at include Jimmy Morrissey of Pittsburgh and Stanford’s Drew Dalman.

Running back isn’t a need, but there are some intriguing day three possibilities. If Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert makes it there, he would be worth a pick. Michigan RB Chris Evans and Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson would also be fine day three picks.

Finally, I already mentioned Josh Imatorbhebhe, but there are two other day three WRs that interested me. Tamorrion Terry of Florida State & UAB’s Austin Watkins.

That’s it for the Chicago focused mock draft. Feel free to comment and give me your ideas for your own teams. I’ll put out my final first round mock before Thursday, until then… BEAR DOWN!