The Chicago Bears are weeks away from locking in the top overall pick in the NFL Draft for the second consecutive season, along with having another top pick of their own in April's draft. 

In total, the Bears are currently slated to have six picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, barring any additional trades made leading up to the time the team will be on the clock. 

It's not a lot of capital for a team entering into a solid class of prospects while being in the midst of a rebuild. Therefore, expect to see some movement and some tough decisions made by general manager Ryan Poles.

The Bears roster is full of major needs, but the team also has players in place that can be moved for additional picks if the return is right. Highly sought after players such as cornerback Jaylon Johnson and quarterback Justin Fields could create considerable interest on the trade market once the season comes to a close.

With that being said, let's take a look at the five biggest needs the Bears should highly consider filling during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Five biggest needs for the Bears:

Quarterback

This one is contingent on of course the play of the Bears current quarterback. Justin Fields has seven games to prove that he can be the Bears franchise quarterback going forward. However, if he doesn't show enough by the end of the 2023 season to inspire confidence into the front office, he should be traded.

Let's remember, Poles didn't draft Fields and therefore has no ties nor connection toward retaining him. The Bears general manager elected not to take a top quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft and instead traded back to add more protection.

If the Bears 3-7 record continues to get worse, it'll be hard to justify giving Fields another year in Chicago. The Panthers graciously donated the expected #1 overall pick to the Bears and the team can recoup more capital by trading Fields, therefore, drafting their top quarterback in the class is the correct decision. The Bears will just have to choose wisely between USC's Caleb Williams and UNC's Drake Maye.

Offensive Line

While this is a major need for the Bears going into 2024, I'm not sure if it's a big enough need to pass on a generational prospect in order to fill it immediately. The Bears currently have a solid tackle duo up-front in rookie Darnell Wright and second-year Braxton Jones. The Bears also have a very good offensive guard in Teven Jenkins.

The bulk of the Bears problems on the offensive line have come from the other two positions. The Bears will have guard Nate Davis returning to the starting lineup in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions, whom the Bears gave a whopping 3 year, $30 million contract to in free agency. 

If Jones and Davis can prove that they can make improvements over the final seven weeks of the season, the Bears will only look to add depth pieces along with finding an upgrade at center. In that scenario, it makes no possible sense to burn a top selection on the position. However, if those two struggle, it could be done.

Wide Receiver

The Bears have a bonafide star in wide receiver DJ Moore. Going into 2024, the team will need to add some more help in the room to complement him. The team's number two wide receiver, Darnell Mooney, is scheduled to be a free agent following the 2023 season and will set some serious interest in the open market. The Bears have a large amount of cap space to work with in free agency but it's not worth bringing him back on a big deal.

If Mooney walks in free agency, this is how the position looks entering the draft. DJ Moore, Velus Jones Jr., and rookie Tyler Scott. End of list. Equanimeous St. Brown is one option the Bears could consider bringing back once the season ends, but the unit will still be lacking a true number two threat.

With another top pick expected to be had in the first-round, the Bears have to make sure they leave the opening night with Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeye's top weapon is a true generational talent at the position and can single-handedly transform the Bears offense by playing alongside Moore.

Pass Rusher

The team already made one considerable addition to this part of the roster for the long-term future by acquiring and extending Montez Sweat at the trade deadline. However, the team is still seriously lacking at the position after this season and adding another solid but young pass rusher would be a wise decision.

Even after two weeks with Sweat playing on defense, the Bears still have the fewest sacks in the league. In fact, Sweat is still looking to notch his first career sack as a Bear going into Week 11. 

Poles can't just think that he's alleviated the problem just by adding one player. Successful teams in the NFL have a stable of pass rushers ready to be deployed against opposing quarterbacks in order to keep them fresh. More bodies are needed in that rotation, and a high 2nd-round pick might be worth spending to acquire another.

Cornerback

This need is again contingent on a potential trade that could occur before April's draft. If the Bears send away cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the position will then become a need for the team entering the draft.

The Bears already have some young and promising defenders in the secondary in Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith. When you factor in the leadership in the backend of the defense with safeties Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson, the unit doesn’t look too far off.

However, the hole left by Johnson would be one the Poles would have to fill at some point in the draft, or in free agency for a cheaper price. Either way, adding another quality player in the secondary is never a bad decision for a team, and quite frankly should always be a position you consider adding each and every year.

Bears updated 2024 NFL Draft order entering MNF

Current look at the Top-5 picks