20. Chicago Bears: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Chicago needs help in a lot of places, but the draft board does not help them here. They need a new quarterback, but all first-round quarterbacks are off of the board. With the top three receivers drafted as well, they decide to attack another key need at tackle.
Now, I say that they are drafting a tackle. There is a debate as to where Vera-Tucker translates to the NFL. He was a great lineman in general at USC, but many will want him to play tackle in the NFL. Expect the Bears to give him a chance at left tackle, but they could easily move him to guard if things don’t pan out early.
The good news is that he could be a game-changer at guard. With the Bears struggling, they can’t afford to take a risk here. They have failed with so many draft picks recently. They can’t take another swing and have it flop. This late in the first round, they are lucky to get a sure-fire starter at a position of need with plenty of upside.
The Bears need to rebuild their roster in a lot of ways. They might be wasting away one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hopefully, they can sign a quarterback in free agency or trade for one without giving up this pick.
If they draft Tucker, they at least won’t be failing. There might be a lost opportunity, but you are getting a starter at a position of need.