Bears Mock Draft Monday: Ryan Poles finds a willing partner to trade down from No. 9
The 2024 NFL Draft is less than a month a away, and so far, we can only feeling semi-confident about one pick in the entire draft. The Chicago Bears are expected to take quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick but much is left unknown beyond that with days remaining until the draft kicks […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is less than a month a away, and so far, we can only feeling semi-confident about one pick in the entire draft.
The Chicago Bears are expected to take quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick but much is left unknown beyond that with days remaining until the draft kicks off in Detroit. The Bears are slated to have four selections in the draft entering the month of April, but that could potentially change in the coming weeks.
In this mock draft, I will have the Bears made a trade to secure more capital by trading back from the ninth overall pick with the Jacksonville Jaguars using the Rich Hill trade chart. The move will give the Bears an added second round pick in the draft while losing a future late round pick, and here's how I see those draft picks being used.
1st Overall Pick: QB Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams has now passed all of the Bears' pre-draft tests with flying colors after an extensive process to become the team's next franchise quarterback. The two sides will meet again in Chicago in a few days with the expectation that Williams will begin learning offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's offensive install and playbook.
There's a lot to be excited about in Chicago with Williams set to take over as the starting quarterback while entering into an exceptional class of offensive playmakers along with a talented defense led by head coach Matt Eberflus.
17th Overall Pick (via JAX): OT Troy Fautanu
After trading back from the ninth overall pick, the Bears can land an upgrade at a critical position that will be important for the long-term success of their new quarterback. General manager Ryan Poles noted that the Bears are splitting into three teams (wide receiver, defensive end, and offensive tackle) to decide what to target with their second pick in the first round.
Depending on how the 2-8 selections turn out, it might be in the Bears' best interest to trade down from the selection and still land a blue chip prospect at one of those positions. According to Tony Pauline, the Bears "have shown interest" in Washington's Troy Fautanu and could target him if they trade back from the ninth overall pick.
Fautanu was a beast during his career at Washington, allowing just two sacks and 23 pressures on 623 pass blocking snaps. Despite the high draft pick, it will still be a competition between Braxton Jones with the best man becoming left tackle in 2024.
48th Overall Pick (via JAX): Adisa Isaac
After pivoting in free agency and in the first round of this mock away from adding an additional pass rusher to compliment Montez Sweat, this is where that added second round pick is key and comes into play for the Bears.
The top end of the edge rushing class is loaded with some incredible talent, many of whom will go in the first two rounds. As it currently stands, the Bears won't pick between nine and 75 and could miss out on a top pass rusher once again unless the front office pulls the trigger on one at nine or trade back like this mock suggests.
A Day 2 prospect at the position that has really caught my eye is Adisa Isaac. Early in the 2023 season, Poles conducted multiple scouting trips out to Penn State and could have Isaac's name hidden in his deck of cards. During his final season at Penn State, Isaac recorded 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. He would eat opposite Sweat.
75th Overall Pick: WR Brenden Rice
The Bears already added one star who will help their new quarterback in more ways than one in Keenan Allen and the front office could look to do him another favor by bringing in his top target at USC to join the wide receiver room.
During the USC Pro Day, the Bears' scouting party not only got a solid look at Williams, but also his top wide receiver, Brendan Rice. If you don't know by now, Rice is also the son of former NFL legend and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jerry Rice.
The Bears new wide receiver trio will consist of DJ Moore, Allen, and Rice to give Williams three exceptional players to throw to in Chicago. This might be a pipe dream mock selection but I would love to see Williams and Rice reunite in Chicago after watching more of Williams tape at USC.
122nd Overall Pick: RB Dylan Laube
This selection has had me torn in every mock draft I've made for the Bears because at this point, I'm not sure which position they value more. Something I keep coming back to, last year, Poles selected 4 players who initially had Top-30 visits in Chicago.
For this pick, my idea is to take a look at some of the prospects the Bears have already been confirmed to have in for a Top-30 visit and analyze which one would be the best fit. This time around, I've settled on New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube.
Yes, the Bears added D'Andre Swift in free agency to the running back room that already featured Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, but Laube offers a different element from all three backs. His work as a receiver out of the backfield and a returner on special teams could be increasing valuable for the team's entire roster in 2024.
Predicting the best trade offers the Chicago Bears could receive for the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
Would these deals be worth trading down?
