The Chicago Bears are sitting at 1-5 through the first third of the of 2023 season, and it’s hard not to look ahead to the 2024 offseason — most notably, the NFL draft.
Following Week 6 of the 2023 season, the Bears are currently sitting with the first two picks in the 2024 NFL draft — with their own selection (No. 2) and the Carolina Panthers’ first-round pick (No. 1).
There are plenty of questions about what Chicago could do with that top selection — if they wind up landing it. Does general manager Ryan Poles stick with quarterback Justin Fields and trade back and accumulate more draft capital? Or do they use the pick on USC’s Caleb Williams?
CBS Sports revealed a new mock draft featuring a collaboration between two analysts and former NFL general manager Rick Spielman.
Here’s a look at who Chicago targets with Nos. 1 and 2:
Round 1, Pick 1: QB Caleb Williams, USC
In this scenario, general manager Ryan Poles opts to move on from Justin Fields and selects USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick.
Williams is considered the top quarterback prospect in this 2024 draft class, where some have even called him a generational talent.
Here’s what Spielman had to say:
“I’m hanging up the phone every time someone calls me because the obvious pick is Caleb Williams. I know Justin Fields has played well over the last two weeks … but if I’m sitting in the GM chair with the Chicago Bears, I think that Caleb Williams, after I check all the boxes, is a generational-type quarterback, so you can’t pass him up. And then I will be able to trade Justin Fields for, I would believe, at least a second-round pick and maybe more if he continues to play the way he’s playing through the rest of the season.”
Last offseason, Poles did his due diligence on the quarterbacks in the 2023 draft class, and he opted to stick with Fields and build around him with receiver DJ Moore and right tackle Darnell Wright.
But with some exciting quarterback prospects in Williams and Drake Maye in this 2024 draft class, could Poles elect to choose his quarterback? That’s certainly a storyline to monitor as the 2023 season unfolds.
Round 1, Pick 2: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
After using the first overall pick on Williams, the Bears use the second selection to pair him with Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison Jr. is considered to be the draft’s top receiver — where he’s battled inconsistent quarterback play this season — and his playmaking ability would make for an exciting addition.
Here’s what Ryan Wilson had to say:
Wilson is going with the Ohio State standout, and Spielman agrees that should be the pick instead of Chicago looking for a trade partner. “Too unique of a player.”
Even dating back to the last draft cycle, Bears fans have had Harrison Jr. circled as a target for Chicago. While the team since went on to acquire Moore in the trade of last year’s top draft selection, the idea of a receiving duo of Moore and Harrison Jr. is certainly an enticing thought.
Our take
There’s still plenty of season to go through six weeks, but I’m not sure the best course of action would be to take a swing at another quarterback with that top selection. It’s clear the Bears aren’t a quarterback away from contending, and there are holes along the offensive line — most notably left tackle and center.
If Chicago lands the No. 1 pick, Poles could very well wind up trading the top selection for the second straight NFL draft. The Bears would acquire additional draft capital — which could be even more than last year given the quarterback prospects in this draft class — and could still land Harrison Jr. and a top offensive tackle.
Justin Fields still has one year left on his rookie contract. And if things don’t work out this year, the Bears could still wind up with a top selection and could take a quarterback. With that said, it’s understandable if Poles opts to trade Fields and draft Williams with the No. 1 pick, if he believes Williams is a generational talent.
Bears' current 2024 draft picks
The Bears currently have seven draft selections in the 2024 NFL draft — all in the first five rounds:
- Round 1, Pick 1 (from Panthers)
- Round 1, Pick 2
- Round 2, Pick 38
- Round 3, Pick 69
- Round 4, Pick 104
- Round 4, Pick 132 (from Eagles)
- Round 5, Pick 140
via Tankathon
