The Chicago Bears make two franchise-changing selections in a new mock draft
With just one more game remaining until the official end of the 2023 NFL season, most teams are fully in offseason mode. That includes the Chicago Bears, whose fans are now looking toward free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft. To prepare all 32 fan bases for the upcoming draft, I published my first two-round […]
With just one more game remaining until the official end of the 2023 NFL season, most teams are fully in offseason mode.
That includes the Chicago Bears, whose fans are now looking toward free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft.
To prepare all 32 fan bases for the upcoming draft, I published my first two-round mock draft of the cycle, in which the Bears landed two dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Round 1, Pick 1: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
"I have the Bears standing pat and taking Caleb Williams, even with the loud rumors of Washington wanting to move up. It takes two to strike a trade, and I think the Bears end up prioritizing drafting their top QB in the class, and from what I heard down in Mobile, I believe that is USC's, Caleb Williams."
The Bears are in a unique situation with the top pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, where they aren't just picking out of the top QBs in this draft class; they also have to consider their current starter, Justin Fields. When it's all said and done, I believe the Bears will draft a QB with the top pick. I think their options in this class are very strong, and from the business side, resetting their five-year window makes too much sense. I think WIlliams' ability to create out of structure will attract the Bears brass the most of the QBs in this class.
Round 1, Pick 9: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
"With their second first-round pick, I have them grabbing an edge rusher to play opposite Montez Sweat in UCLA's Laiatu Latu. Latu had as dominant a practice that I've ever seen on day two of the Senior Bowl. He was unblockable all day long and showed just how deep his pass rush bag is. He will struggle in the run game, but Sweat has that covered off the edge, which should allow Latu to do what he does best, and that's attack the QB."
After going QB with their first pick, the Bears landed UCLA's edge rusher, Laiatu Latu. With them resetting their five-year rookie contract window at QB, I think adding an edge rusher on that same timeline would be perfect. Latu is coming off a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and has the perfect skill set to play opposite of Montez Sweat.
