Prospects Chicago Bears fans should be excited about ahead of the 2024 NFL draft
The Chicago Bears find themselves in a one-of-a-kind position this offseason. Coming off an improved seven-win season, the Bears own two top-ten draft picks, including the first-overall pick. Last year’s trade back was a master stroke that has positioned this Bears team to potentially be a favorite in the NFC North for years to come, but now they have to nail those picks.
While Justin Fields showed improvement last year, the Chicago Bears are looking at every position with their draft picks. The odds are that there will be new players all over the roster. So, who should the Chicago Bears move forward with? Let’s look at some potential first-round additions fans should be excited about.
Caleb Williams
If you look at all betting sites, the player favored to be drafted first is USC quarterback Caleb Williams. While USC disappointed this year, Williams himself was spectacular. He followed up his Heisman-winning campaign with another excellent season, and he is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in recent memory. This is exactly the kind of player Bears fans have been dreaming of. Williams is uniquely explosive, with rare arm strength and the ability to create something from nothing. He has been compared to superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. Having an elite young passer would take this team to the next level, and Williams can be that guy.
Drake Maye
While Williams is considered the top quarterback by many, others have Drake Maye atop their draft boards. He is behind Caleb in the odds for the number-one pick. Maye is a tall, strong-armed quarterback in the mold of Justin Herbert. He is athletic and dynamic and the type of player you would want in an outdoor playoff football environment. The Chicago Bears could fall in love with Maye’s prototypical build and arm talent. While fans would be sad to see Fields leave, Maye has a much more conventional game. He can be a star in the league, although turnovers were an issue in his second year as a starter.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ask most people who they think the biggest sure thing in the draft is, and they’ll say Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison is the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., and he plays the same position as his dad. He is considered the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson and recently declared for the draft. If the Chicago Bears want to keep Justin Fields and add talent around him, Harrison Jr. would be the pick. He is a special athlete with the size, speed, and production teams dream of. A wide receiver tandem of Harrison Jr. and D.J. Moore would be too much for most teams to handle.
Rome Odunze
If the Bears want to take a wide receiver with their second pick, there are several appealing options. One of those is Rome Odunze, who is projected by most betting sites as the second-highest receiver drafted this year. Odunze is a big-bodied target who put up excellent numbers at Washington. He was instrumental in the team’s success this year and has perfect hands.
He is considered someone who will instantly hit the ground running in the NFL. His ability to get the ball over the top of defenders and be a threat in the red zone makes him a quarterback’s best friend. If the Bears go quarterback with their first pick, taking Odunze next would set the new passer up for success.
Malik Nabers
The same logic can be applied to making Malik Nabers the Chicago Bears’ next selection. Nabers had arguably the top season of any wide receiver in college football last season. He was a major part of the LSU passing attack as Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels’ favorite target.
Nabers is a crisp route-runner who has been compared to Stefon Diggs. His game is incredibly smooth. While he may not have the massive size of Odunze or Harrison Jr., he makes up for it by being aggressive and poised. He is the kind of player who will be an excellent security blanket for a quarterback, as he always seems to be in the right position.
Dallas Turner
This year’s class is not filled with high-end defensive talent. However, if the Chicago Bears are interested in an edge rusher to pair next to Montez Sweat to form a fearsome duo, Dallas Turner is the name to know. Turner stepped into the shoes of Will Anderson and had a monster year as Alabama’s primary pass rusher.
He is an athletic marvel who has been incredibly productive throughout his career. He would give the Bears someone with both speed and power, and it would mean offenses couldn’t focus their attention solely on Sweat. Turner is the current favorite to be the first defender off the board, but the Chicago Bears could likely get him with their second pick.
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