The Chicago Bears’ 2020 draft class was without a first-round pick, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t land the team a couple of long-term impact players.
Second-round cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been one of the NFL’s most impressive rookies, regardless of position, and fifth-round wide receiver, Darnell Mooney, has quickly become Chicago’s most explosive offensive weapon.
Both rookies have been so good that they each cracked NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s list of the top 25 rookies at the midseason mark.
Johnson checked-in at No. 15:
Johnson is playing with excellent awareness and toughness for the Bears. He can find and play the ball down the field. He’s a reliable tackler in the run game, too.
Mooney ranked 24th:
Mooney, a fifth-round pick, is an explosive deep threat for the Bears. I see some similarities to DeSean Jackson in his play.
The Bears’ first selection of the 2020 draft, tight end Cole Kmet, hasn’t fared as well. His path to playing time has been blocked by Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris, but he’s flashed as a receiver when given a chance to make a play.
April’s 2021 NFL draft will be the first time in two years that the Bears have a first-round pick. They were without a first-rounder in 2019 and 2020 because of the Khalil Mack trade that sent the Raiders both of those selections prior to the start of the 2018 regular season.
