With the April 29-May 1 NFL Draft just over one month away, here's who a dozen draft analysts are predicting the Bears will select with the 20th pick in the first round:
Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football (March 16)
Pick: Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood
Comment: Alex Leatherwood, a former five-star recruit, has excellent strength to be a stellar run blocker and the athleticism to block elite edge rushers.
Previous pick: Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw (Feb. 16)
Nate Davis, USA Today (March 12)
Pick: TCU safety Trevon Moehrig
Comment: This defense has spent the last few years cycling through safeties to pair with steady Eddie Jackson. Moehrig could solve that issue while helping this group generate the takeaways that made it such a force to behold just a few years ago.
Previous pick: Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman (Jan. 28)
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (March 18)
Pick: Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins
Comment: Teven Jenkins fortifies the offensive line and brings an attitude to the unit.
Previous picks: Texas outside linebacker Joseph Ossai (Jan. 28), Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (Feb. 18)
Danny Kelly, The Ringer (March 11)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore
Comment: Massive, dynamic defensive lineman with strong hands and quick feet; he's slippery and disruptive as a pass rusher but has just one season of starting experience.
Previous picks: Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (Feb. 18), Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (Jan. 27)
Todd McShay, ESPN (March 4)
Pick: Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw
Comment: The line needs shoring up, and Darrisaw is a powerful left tackle who doesn't give up many sacks and can get to the second level as a run-blocker.
Previous pick: Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, at No. 12 via a trade with 49ers (Feb. 9)
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (March 9)
Pick: Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins
Comment: They need to upgrade the offensive line, and this kid could step in at right tackle. They could also consider adding help on their defensive line.
Previous pick: Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (Feb. 17)
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (March 5)
Pick: Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw
Comment: Darrisaw could go higher if things fall differently, as he presents the size and athleticism to start immediately at left tackle. If teams ahead of the Bears decide to meet other needs, however, the Monsters of the Midway will reap the benefits.
Previous pick: Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (Feb. 8)
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (March 22)
Pick: USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker
Comment: Vera-Tucker is yet another versatile offensive lineman who started at left guard in 2019 and left tackle in 2020. With the flux along the Bears' offensive line in recent years, that flexibility is a necessity at this point.
Joal Ryan, 247 Sports (March 10)
Pick: USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker
Comment: Alijah Vera-Tucker opted out of his junior year at USC, and declared for the draft. The guard is listed at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds.
Previous pick: Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw (Jan. 26)
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (March 18)
Pick: Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman
Previous picks: Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (Jan. 27), USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (Feb. 17)
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (March 22)
Pick: North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (at No. 13 via a trade with the Chargers)
Comment: Lance checks every box as a "modern-day NFL quarterback," he just needs experience. And if all it costs Chicago to move up is an additional second-rounder, they have to do it.
Previous picks: Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Jan. 26), Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw (Feb. 15)
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (March 19)
Pick: Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau (March 19)
Comment: With Robert Quinn failing to impress in Year 1 with Chicago, the Bears could turn to help in the form of this rangy, long-levered defensive end who offers enticing traits but just one full season at the college level.
Previous pick: Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (Feb. 4)
