2021 NFL Draft Do-Over: Here’s who the Chicago Bears COULD’VE had

I recently regraded the 2021 Chicago Bears draft class, and sadly, it was ugly. The 2021 class of Bears started with so much hype, mostly around quarterback Justin Fields. Unfortunately, hype was about all it amounted to.

How different would the Bears have looked over the last three years if they had made a few different decisions in the 2021 NFL draft?

For this exercise, I will keep the Bears at the picks they made, even with all of the trades during the draft. I will also leave every other draft selection in place. In other words, who could the Chicago Bears have taken in the exact same draft? Let’s take a look.

1.11 Micah Parsons – EDGE

Parsons went just one pick after the Bears’ first-round selection to the Dallas Cowboys and was an immediate impact player. Imagine how fearsome Chicago’s defensive front would have been in the 2021 season and beyond with Micah Parsons, Khalil Mack, and Akiem Hicks lined up together? I got goosebumps just typing that.

2.39 Creed Humphrey – Center

I wanted to keep Teven Jenkins at this pick because he’s been really good for Chicago when healthy. But injuries are still a problem, and too much talent is available. I waffled between Humphrey, a two-time Pro Bowler that the Chiefs drafted at 63rd overall, or Amon-Ra St. Brown, an All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler himself that went to Detroit in the fourth round. I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for offensive linemen, so I went with Humphrey.

5.151 Talanoa Hufanga – Safety

Originally taken at 180th overall, Hufanga has far exceeded his draft placement. He had his breakout season in 2022 and never looked back, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Pairing him up with Eddie Jackson would have made that secondary deadly.

6.217 Khalil Herbert – Running Back

No changes necessary here. Herbert has been exceptional in three years with the Bears for a sixth-round running back.

6.221 Trey Smith – Guard

Smith has been a stalwart right guard for Kansas City since they drafted him just a few picks later than this selection. He’s missed only one game but has started in every other game these last three years, including every playoff game. This would have been a homerun pick and, combined with Humphrey, would have given Andy Dalton a solid offensive line to play behind.

6.228 Nick McCloud – Cornerback

In reality, McCloud went undrafted but he would have made for an excellent Day 3 pick. While he will likely never be a star cornerback, he’s been serviceable these last two years for the New York Giants and had a mini-breakout in 2023, earning a 74.8 grade from Pro Football Focus.

7.250 Khyiris Tonga – Defensive Tackle

Once again, this is a pick that I would leave alone. Tonga was solid while he was in Chicago and, like McCloud, had a mini-breakout these last two years with Minnesota. Well worth a seventh-round selection.

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