Who will the Bears draft in 2024? The Chicago Bears don’t have a ton of picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they are going to make them count. As we dive into our Bears mock draft 2024, this team has an opportunity to quickly assemble one of the most dangerous NFL teams in the next three years.
Before diving into our Bears mock draft, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears draft picks 2024
Here are the draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- 1st Round, 1st overall
- 1st Round, 9th overall
- 3rd Round, 75th overall:
- 5th Round, 122nd overall:
Chicago Bears draft needs 2024
Here are the Chicago Bears team needs ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
- Quarterback
- Wide Receiver
- Defensive Line
- Cornerback
- Offensive Tackle
Bears mock draft: Strengthening the core around Caleb Williams
Round 1, 1st overall: Caleb Williams, QB, USC Trojans
There was never any debate in Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams was always going to be the first overall pick. He is the best player in the 2024 NFL Draft, providing a personality that fits with being the face of the franchise, the maturity and character to lead a locker room and the talent to carry an offense.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft quarterback rankings
While NFL comparisons are popular, especially with Williams, we view him in a different light. Williams is similar to an Avenger in that there will be some moments of chaos and damage, but you accept that price because he saves the city. In a league led by some of the most physically gifted quarterbacks we’ve seen – Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson – you need a ‘superhero’ quarterback.
Williams’s ability to create plays outside of structure is phenomenal and he was forced to do that a lot in 2023 because the USC Trojans offense was broken. In 2022, though, Williams won the Heisman Trophy in part because he won by playing in the system and staying in the pocket. This is a game-changing player who will be walking into a Bears’ offense that is uniquely situated for its rookie to thrive immediately.
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Round 1, 9th overall: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington Huskies
The Keenan Allen trade created a lot of flexibility for us in our Bears mock draft and Chicago’s general manager Ryan Poles will be able to use that to his advantage in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the factors that led to Allen being dealt by the Los Angeles Chargers and the lack of certainty regarding his future with Chicago suggests wide receiver should still be prioritized.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings
Rome Odunze is an elite wide receiver prospect. The stats he posted during his Washington Huskies career are phenomenal, which checks off the “production” box as a prospect. In the pre-draft process, the 6-foot-2 wideout posted a stellar 9.92 Relative Athletic Score which puts him in rare territory. As for his route running, Matt Harmon of Yahoo Sports found that Odunze’s separation ability and his success on individual routes is up there with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase.
Odunze can be the No. 1 receiver in Chicago, becoming the All-Pro offensive weapon who helps this become one of the best offenses in the NFL. Plus, the Bears will have arguably the best receiving corps in the NFL with Allen moving the chains and D.J. Moore making big plays. This is the supporting cast that unlocks Williams’ ceiling as a passer.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft RB rankings
Round 3, 75th overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas Longhorns
Chicago already boasts an above-average defense, which allowed us to spend the top picks in our Bears mock draft on creating a well-rounded team. With an explosive passing attack now established, our focus turns toward adding more beef to the interior defensive line.
Related: NFL defense rankings, see where Chicago Bears land
You draft a player like Sweat in part because of what he does for his teammates. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 366 pounds, the former Texas Longhorns defensive lineman requires special attention from the opposition. He eats up space, taking on blocks and forcing interior offensive linemen to focus more of their attention on him. Plus, that anchor in the middle of the defensive line can also help collapse the pocket. Sweat’s most important role, though, is taking on those blocks and freeing up lanes for the Bears’ linebackers to burst through and make plays. Plus, his presence will make life a little easier on the edge for Montez Sweat.
Round 5, 122nd overall: Justin Eboigbe, EDGE, Alabam Crimson Tide
Rounding out our Bears mock draft, we’re just prioritizing more depth for Matt Eberflus’ defense. Chicago would certainly benefit from adding a No. 2 edge rusher, but you won’t find one this late. Instead, we just add another rotational body to the front seven. Justin Eboigbe isn’t flashy and he’s not a great athlete by any means, but he packs plenty of power with his first moves and his length paired with his size (6-foot-4 and 297 pounds) can make him fairly effective in short-yardage situations. He’ll likely never be a quality starter, but getting a role player like this in Round 5 is great value for Chicago.
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Chicago Bears 7-round mock draft
Here are the results of our full Bears 7-round mock draft.
- 1st Round, 1st overall: Caleb Williams, QB, USC Trojans
- 1st Round, 9th overall: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington Huskies
- 3rd Round, 75th overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas Longhorns
- 5th Round, 122nd overall: Justin Eboigbe, EDGE, Alabam Crimson Tide
Feedback on the Bears’ picks can be sent on Twitter to @Matt_Sportsnaut
