The 2024 NFL Draft begins in exactly two weeks and there is still plenty of intrigue around what the Chicago Bears will do when they are on the clock.
While it has long been a foregone conclusion – although not official – that they will select Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, their decision at No. 9 overall remains a mystery. But the popular notion remains that they will at least seek to trade down and accumulate more picks.
The Bears currently have four picks after previous trades.
Rival Scout Expects Bears to Trade Down
Bears No. 9 Pick a Hot Topic
“I’d be shocked if they make that pick at nine,” an anonymous NFC scout said, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid on April 11. “[Bears GM Ryan] Poles loves to move around and build through the draft, and that roster still needs help in some spots.”
The Bears have made 19 trades since Poles took over. 16 of those deals have involved draft capital. That includes 11 straight between trading Robert Quinn and Justin Fields.
They have made eight trades during the last two drafts.
“Don’t be surprised if Chicago moves back, adds more draft capital and takes the best defensive end available wherever it lands,” Reid wrote. “Laiatu Latu (UCLA) and Jared Verse (Florida State) are two options who would help off the edge in Chicago.”
Potential Bears Draft Target Gets Caleb Williams’ Attention With Pro Day Showing
The Bears finished 31st in sacks last season, even with the addition of Montez Sweat at the trade deadline.
Of course, they also have to be leery of trading back too far if they are targeting Latu or Verse.
The Bears could still look to address their offensive line and the interior of their defensive line in the draft. They would also be wise to explore their options at wide receiver should one or more of the top prospects make it to their current slot.
They still have DJ Moore, who turns 27 years old on April 14, and there is interest in inking both him and trade acquisition Keenan Allen to new contracts.
Still, the latter is in his 30s and has a lengthy injury history.
The Bears have made a concerted effort to put a strong foundation around Williams or whoever is under center next season. Adding another building block to grow alongside him would be a good piece of future planning.
Caleb Williams Claps Back at Critic
Former NFL quarterback Greg McElroy expressed his concern with Williams at the next level, citing an adversity-free experience in college. Williams, not one to shy away from speaking his piece, gave a quick retort.
Let’s go back to school again cause I’m bored rn..,” Williams happily responded in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on April 9. “Adversity: “A state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.
“Y1. Didn’t start freshman year. Y2. Popped hammy championship game 1st Q. Lost bc of my hammy. Y3. 7-5 my last year of college ball.”
Scrutiny for the No. 1 projected pick is nothing new.
That only ratchets up when the prospect in question plays quarterback. The Bears’ sordid history at the position only further complicates the conversation. So the situation remains far from settled even as they have likely made their decision.
In that sense, what the Bears do with the No. 9 overall pick might be the least of their concerns.