Picking the best draft target for the Bears with the 9th overall pick after the 2024 NFL Combine
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching with the Combine officially over, the Chicago Bears will soon be on the clock. The whole NFL landscape seemingly knows what direction the Bears will go in with the first overall pick leading up to the draft, but what will the team do beyond that? Along with having […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching with the Combine officially over, the Chicago Bears will soon be on the clock. The whole NFL landscape seemingly knows what direction the Bears will go in with the first overall pick leading up to the draft, but what will the team do beyond that?
Along with having the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears also currently hold the ninth overall selection in the first round. To me, that's where the draft truly gets interesting for Bears' general manager Ryan Poles.
Following everything we've learned and heard from the week in Indianapolis, here is the perfect post-Combine draft target I believe the Bears should go after with their second pick in the draft:
Bears Post-Combine Draft Fit, 9th Overall Pick: Defensive End Dallas Turner
The Bears already have one legitimate star at the defensive end position in Montez Sweat heading into 2024 but in order for head coach Matt Eberflus' defense to work effectively in Chicago, he'll need another top guy at the position.
Enter Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner with the ninth overall pick, who proved he's the best pass rusher in the class during the combine. Turner was one of the best, and more importantly most athletic, pass rusher during the week and he's exactly the type of player the Bears should be targeting to compliment Sweat off the edge.
Turner put on an absolute clinic at the combine this weekend. He posted the highest vertical jump and was tied for the second-fastest 40-yard dash in his group with freaky overall measurables.
Production-wise, Turner recorded 22.5 sacks during his career at Alabama and can bring that level of production to Chicago while joining all of the great Alabama pass rushers that have come before him at the next level.
After getting a first look at Turner on Thursday compared to the other top pass rushers in the class, the decision should be an easy one to make. The decision will also become easier if the top three wide receiver prospects in Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are all off the board by the time the Bears are back on the clock.
The team's head coach stressed the importance of getting after the quarterback next season in order to have his zone coverage in the backend come away with even more turnovers. The addition of defensive coordinator Eric Washington and his defensive line background further strengthens this decision. Turner is a monster at the position and it's time the Bears take advantage of having a dominant pass rush once again.
Bears’ top pass rush targets in the 2024 NFL Draft are already eager about potentially playing alongside Montez Sweat
Will the Bears look to draft one of these top prospects?
