NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Could Saquon Barkley fall to the Redskins at No. 13?

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Calvin Ridley. 8. player. 57. . Wide Receiver. Alabama

This NFL Draft pick makes sense for the Bears. For too many reasons.

The Bears have their quarterback, at least for the near future, in Mitch Trubisky. Now they need to equip him with weapons. In my last mock, I had the team pick SMU’s Courtland Sutton, citing his upside and playmaking potential. But since then, I’ve had a change of heart. For the Bears, Calvin Ridley is a better fit. Why? It’s quite simple.

Ridley is more reliable. In fact, he’s the most reliable wide receiver in this class. He can come into the NFL and start right away, with little to no learning curve. He’s an incredibly polished route runner, possessing a sharp attention to detail and the rare consistency gene.

Riley didn’t produce on a never-before-seen level at Alabama, but he never had an NFL-caliber quarterback there, either. With Trubisky throwing him the football in Matt Nagy’s offense, Rildey can fill the role he’s been ready for all along. You might not see him make the one-handed catches like the other guys. But he can create separation and give his young quarterback an immediate option to throw to. Ridley could be the key to the Bears’ success.

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