Picking the best draft target for the Bears on Day 2 after the 2024 NFL Combine
The 2024 Combine is behind us which means the draft will be here before we know it. Following the combine, we've learned more about the various teams and what positions they might lean toward acquiring heading into the start of free agency. As for the draft, the Chicago Bears are in control of the first […]
The 2024 Combine is behind us which means the draft will be here before we know it. Following the combine, we've learned more about the various teams and what positions they might lean toward acquiring heading into the start of free agency.
As for the draft, the Chicago Bears are in control of the first round with two picks in the Top-10 selections and all the talk has been surrounding their first overall pick and quarterback Justin Fields. However, there's been little talk about what the Bears should do after the first night of the draft.
The Bears next pick after round one won't be until the 75th overall selection in the third round. The Bears currently do not hold a selection in the second round, although that could change in the coming days ahead if Fields ends up getting traded for high draft capital from another team. Here's one prospect the Bears should have on their radar with their third round selection.
Bears Post-Combine Draft Fit, 3rd Round Pick: RB Isaac Guerendo
The Bears picking a running back on Day 2 would come as a surprise for sure, but it speaks volumes to the kind of prospect Isaac Guerendo is and what he could bring to the Bears' offense with a rookie quarterback and new offensive coordinator.
Chicago is in desperate need of a dynamic running back to help open things up in the passing game with Khalil Herbert entering the final year of his contract, D'Onta Foreman expected to leave in free agency and 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson having an uninspiring rookie campaign.
Heading into the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, this year's running back class didn't appear to be all too impressive but that sentiment has slightly changed. Guerendo was one of the stars of the position after recording the fastest 40-yard dash among all running backs (4.33) and a 41.5 inch vertical at 6'0, 221 pounds. What he did on Saturday was simply incredible for his size and left me wondering if he could be the next Jonathan Taylor type of running back to enter the league.
According to The Athletic's Adam Jahns, "a belief from outside the building [is] that the offense could benefit greatly from a dynamic back" that could be found in free agency. However, the better avenue to find a player who fits that description will come through the draft.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles hasn’t dished out really any significant capital at the position, whether it's draft picks or top dollar in free agency. Given the needs on the roster and how the available cap space should be utilized in free agency, it wouldn’t make sense to do so now. But, it could be done in the draft.
And for those worried about using a high pick at the position, Poles drafted Johnson in the fourth round in the 2023 NFL Draft after the likes of notable rookie running backs such as Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Zach Charbonnet, Kendre Miller, Tyjae Spears, and De'Von Achane came off the board before Johnson.
If the Bears are really interested in going after a game-changing back, they can't wait around in the draft to get one if that's where they plan to add a dynamic back. Following his 11 touchdown season and an eye-opening combine, teams will be even more interested in adding Guerendo's talents in the draft.
Will the Bears end up picking in the 2nd-Round?
There’s only two ways the Bears can look to pick up a selection in the second round of this year's draft again and it's either by trading Justin Fields or trading down from one of the two picks in the Top-10. As it stands, the order of likeliness goes: trade Fields, trade back from the ninth overall pick and trade back from the first overall pick.
The overwhelming takeaway from the combine is that the Bears appear to be ready to move on from Fields as the starter in favor of drafting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick but things can change depending on Fields' trade interest and what the Bears could get in return for their 2023 starting quarterback.
My belief is that the Bears will get at-best a second round pick in 2024 and hopefully some future late round picks included in the deal. If the Bears find a way to add a selection in the second round, here's some prospects I could see them considering drafting depending on different possibilities in the first round.
Option 1: WR Xavier Legette
In this scenario, the Bears miss out on the top three wide receivers and instead take the best available pass rusher on the board. In the second-round, the Bears can look into one of the top second-tier wide receivers available and South Carolina's Xavier Legette seems like a solid fit. Legette is a freak of an athlete who's stock jumped back up after taking a dip during the Senior Bowl last month. Adding a 6'1, 221 pound wide receiver with a 4.39 40 opposite DJ Moore would be an ideal pairing.
Option 2: DE Chop Robinson
With a heavy run on wide receivers and offensive linemen now expected to take place in the first round, the Bears could luck out and snag one of the Top-3 wide receivers with the ninth overall pick and hope a top edge rusher falls into the second round. If the Bears can get a high second round pick from say the Atlanta Falcons for Fields, the team could be in the back-end of the range for Penn State pass rusher Chop Robinson. However, his impressive 4.49 40-yard dash could make him go higher.
Bears Mock Draft Monday: Post-Combine edition offers more clarity for who the team could target
Would this be the ideal draft class?
