The Windy City Gridiron has published a roundtable discussion in which its contributors discussed the Chicago Bears’ picks from the 2021 NFL draft. In the third edition of the series, the writers shared their thoughts on the prospect that got away. Several contributors pointed to the Bears’ failure to address their need for an experienced center. John Michael Schmitz was seen as a promising candidate who could have been picked up at number 53, but the team chose Tyrique Stevenson instead.
Other contributors regretted the Bears’ inability to acquire Adetomiwa Adebawore, an athletic defensive tackle who fell to the fourth round. Adebawore had been expected to be drafted in the second or third round, and his speed and jumping ability made him an intriguing prospect for many teams in the league. The Bears also missed out on Army’s Andre Carter II, who was available at pick number 258 but was not selected by Chicago.
In general, the contributors to the roundtable expressed satisfaction with the Bears’ draft, but they all agreed that Chicago had missed some opportunities. The lack of depth at center is seen as a potential headache for the team in the coming season, as Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick are both seen as inconsistent performers. As the Bears look to improve on last year’s record, it remains to be seen whether they can overcome the deficiencies in their new roster.
