11mo
Photo: Bleacher Report
The Chicago Bears missed the playoffs last season with a 7-10 record but secured the #1 pick of the draft via their trade with the Carolina Panthers. They traded away their first overall pick in 2023 (which was used to select QB- Bryce Young) to Carolina for their first and second round pick in 2023, wide receiver D.J. Moore, and a 2024 #1 pick, which just happens to be the #1 overall pick.
Here is a look at what Chicago could do throughout the draft, including a first round trade:
Round 1- Pick (1)
The Bears traded last year’s starting quarterback Justin Fields and have had their sights set on Caleb Williams out of USC from day one. Rumors may swirl about them moving this pick, but mark it down—Caleb Williams will be under center for the Bears in week one.
He is going to a prime situation for a 1st overall pick. The Bears are not that far away from the playoffs and with wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, Williams will have some nice weapons to work with right off the bat.
Round 1- Pick (9)
There is a very good chance that Chicago could trade this pick to a team looking to move up to draft a quarterback (Minnesota and Denver come to mind). The club may want to do this, as they own only 4 total picks in the draft and such a move should yield significant draft capital in return.
But during this mock the trade could not be completed, so Chicago will select an edge rusher— either Dallas Turner out of Alabama or Jared Verse out of Florida State. It will depend on what the Atlanta Falcons do at #8, as they have the same need.
The Bears could be tempted to take a wide receiver if a player like Rome Odunze is on the board, but Draft Nation thinks Chicago bolsters their defense and selects the versatile Jared Verse of Florida State.
Round 3- Pick (75)
Last season Chicago selected Tennessee tackle Darnell Wright with the 23rd pick of the first round. Wright has the right tackle position locked down but the Bears aren’t quite as confident in left tackle Braxton Jones. With a deep tackle class and only 4 draft picks the Bears will use this spot to select one. They will select Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie. Amegadjie has been rising up some draft boards and with some patience, he has the ability to play left tackle in the NFL. The Bears will have to give him a year to transition but will secure a young tackle for the future.
Round 4- Pick (122)
If the Bears don’t make any moves this is their last pick of the draft. They have their new franchise QB, a premium edge rusher and a tackle with promise. Now they will give the offense a versatile toy. Draft Nation believes the Bears will select wide receiver Luke McCaffrey out of Rice. The brother of 49ers superstar running back Christian McCaffrey can be lined up inside or outside and will make a solid #3 or #4 to play behind Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore.
Overall
The Bears are coming, adding a possible future Pro Bowler in Caleb Williams who should lead their offense for many years. Jared Verse at #9 could be the best edge rusher in the draft. The Bears stretch a little for Amegadjie at tackle, hoping their project works out in a year and they add a weapon in McCaffrey to finish out the draft.
So what's next? With only 4 picks, look for Chicago to continue adding some defensive help via free agency this summer.
Marc Dykton4d
Draft Nation Staff5d
Draft Nation Team6d
Draft Nation Staff1w
Draft Nation Staff1w
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