TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): WR, CB, C, DT, Edge-rusher — Though the Bears will likely take a QB if they keep the No. 1 overall pick, it’s not their even one of their top five needs. That said, if Chicago plans to keep Fields and can somehow trade back and still land Marvin Harrison Jr., it would be the ultimate win for the franchise.
Should Chicago go with either Williams or Maye at the top of the draft, then it would make sense to take the best available pass-rusher with the No. 9 overall pick given the team finished with the second-fewest sacks this year. If this scenario plays out, look for the Bears to potentially trade back into Round 2 to grab another WR to pair with D.J. Moore.
DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Caleb Williams, QB, USC; Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina; Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State; Malik Nabers, WR, LSU; Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois; T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas; Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan; Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama; Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State; Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama; Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:
What does GM Ryan Poles do with the No. 1 overall pick?
If Fields is traded, how big is the return?
Do the Bears make a big splash in free agency with nearly $50M in cap space?
