3 best outcomes for the Chicago Bears in Round 1
By Josh Hill
2. Rashod Bateman is available at No. 20
Allen Robinson was franchise tagged this offseason and it appears his days in Chicago are numbered. Either something happens this offseason that results in Robinson being traded away or he heads to free agency next year, but it seems we’ve reached the end of the road.
The Bears have a perfect replacement for Robinson sitting right there on the draft board, and all they need to do is take him. If Rashod Bateman, the Minnesota Gophers star receiver, is on the board at No. 20, the draft card essentially writes itself.
Beyond the treading water situation the Bears find themselves in with Robinson, it seems Anthony Miller’s time is almost up as well. If both receivers are gone after this year, that leaves Darnell Mooney as a de facto top target, which is exactly the opposite of being in a good spot. No matter who the quarterback is, the Bears receiving corps will be one o the least attractive in the league.
It’s still unclear what the future holds for Chicago at quarterback, adding a receiver who could end up being the best among those selected in the first-round seems like a no-brained. Andy Dalton will have an A.J. Green-type target and whoever replaces him will be starting out with a dynamite weapon.
Bonus: Even if Bateman is gone at No. 20, the Bears should absolutely target the likes of Elijah Moore out of Ole Miss or Terrace Marshall out of LSU to usher in a new era at receiver.