Bears updated 2024 NFL Draft order entering Week 17
The Chicago Bears had a big victory in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, but it's one that came at a major cost in terms of the team's future. The Bears are technically still alive in the NFC wild card race but mathematically have a long shot to reach the playoffs. Therefore, any additional win […]
The Chicago Bears had a big victory in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, but it's one that came at a major cost in terms of the team's future.
The Bears are technically still alive in the NFC wild card race but mathematically have a long shot to reach the playoffs. Therefore, any additional win the team stacks up only hurts their potential of having two top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That's exactly what happened on Sunday. Following the Bears win over the Cardinals, Chicago has now won four of their last six games. With two weeks left to go, the Bears might have caused irreversible damage to their draft stock.
Entering into Week 17, the Bears currently have the 8th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft based on their own record. The Bears are still armed with the first overall pick thanks to the Carolina Panthers following their 33-30 loss to the Packers in Week 16.
The Panthers top pick is all but locked in following the Patriots Sunday Night Football win against the Broncos, unless the Panthers win out and have a few more games fall the wrong way. Barring any extreme circumstances, the Bears should once again have the number one overall pick.
However, the team could be in jeopardy of having their own first-round pick fall outside of the Top-10 selections if they continue to win games over the final two weeks. Just a few weeks ago, the Bears had two picks in the Top-3 selections in their grasp.
As it stands going into the Christmas Day triple header, here's the current Top-10 order in the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers 2-13)
2. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
3. Washington Commanders (4-11)
4. New England Patriots (4-11)
5. Tennessee Titans (5-10)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
7. New York Giants (5-9, will play PHI on Monday)
8. Chicago Bears (6-9)
9. New York Jets (6-9)
10. Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
The Bears are quickly having no room for error. If the Bears can lose out against the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers, the team can still attempt to get two picks in the Top-5 selections.
The only problem is that the Bears roster, and coaching staff, are still trying to win games in 2023. Since the Bears are still mathematically alive in the playoff race, it can only be beneficial for both head coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields' future with the team to try and steer the sinking ship into the postseason.
We'll see how the board will continue to shake out over the final two games of the season and whether or not the Bears can boost their draft arsenal for general manager Ryan Poles in the process.
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