Here is another example that the 2020 NFL draft was a very successful one for the Chicago Bears
One thing that pretty much everyone can agree on is that the truly great, dominant franchise in the NFL are built via the draft. Well, I think you could say that the Chicago Bears have been pretty solid in the past few seasons.
It isn't a fool-proof method of grading out who did well and who didn't, but one sign of a good NFL Draft class is when two later-round picks end up in Round 1 of re-drafts years later. And that's what happened with Pro Football Focus' recent attempt at re-doing the 2020 NFL Draft. In this particular re-draft, two current Bears standouts don't even make it to the second round. Let me remind you that in 2020, the Bears did not have a first-round draft selection because they traded it away. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson and receiver Darnell Mooney are off the board in Round 1.Here is the description made by PFF's Ben Linsey
22. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CB JAYLON JOHNSON
Original pick: WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON
Jefferson falling outside of the top-20 selections and into Minnesota's lap was one of the steals of the 2020 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the Vikings, there's no chance for a repeat after two seasons of Jefferson torching the NFL.
This selection doesn't fill the Vikings' need for a wide receiver to pair with Adam Thielen, but Minnesota has also had a revolving cast of cornerbacks in recent years. Johnson has responded well to the No. 1 role he's been forced into on the outside. There's still some room for growth, but Johnson has been active at the catch point for Chicago, as his 15.3% forced incompletion rate ranks sixth among 64 cornerbacks with at least 100 targets since 2020.
Original pick: WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON
Jefferson falling outside of the top-20 selections and into Minnesota's lap was one of the steals of the 2020 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the Vikings, there's no chance for a repeat after two seasons of Jefferson torching the NFL.
This selection doesn't fill the Vikings' need for a wide receiver to pair with Adam Thielen, but Minnesota has also had a revolving cast of cornerbacks in recent years. Johnson has responded well to the No. 1 role he's been forced into on the outside. There's still some room for growth, but Johnson has been active at the catch point for Chicago, as his 15.3% forced incompletion rate ranks sixth among 64 cornerbacks with at least 100 targets since 2020.
26. GREEN BAY PACKERS: WR DARNELL MOONEY
Original pick: QB JORDAN LOVE
If the Love selection was what spurred Aaron Rodgers to two consecutive MVP trophies, then maybe the Packers make the same decision again. However, with Rodgers fresh off a new extension, there's no path for Love to make an impact on his rookie deal, barring injury. And there is a gaping roster hole at wide receiver, even more so than back when they still had Davante Adams in 2020.
Mooney isn't best suited as the No. 1 option he currently is in Chicago, but he does represent a nice complementary piece to a passing attack that can stress defenses vertically. Mooney's 0.4 wins above a replacement since 2020 rank sixth among wide receivers in the draft class — just behind Claypool in Pittsburgh.
Original pick: QB JORDAN LOVE
If the Love selection was what spurred Aaron Rodgers to two consecutive MVP trophies, then maybe the Packers make the same decision again. However, with Rodgers fresh off a new extension, there's no path for Love to make an impact on his rookie deal, barring injury. And there is a gaping roster hole at wide receiver, even more so than back when they still had Davante Adams in 2020.
Mooney isn't best suited as the No. 1 option he currently is in Chicago, but he does represent a nice complementary piece to a passing attack that can stress defenses vertically. Mooney's 0.4 wins above a replacement since 2020 rank sixth among wide receivers in the draft class — just behind Claypool in Pittsburgh.
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