The Chicago Bears are in the middle of their pre-draft process, where they’re finalizing their big board in what could be a franchise-altering offseason.
While Caleb Williams is a virtual lock for Chicago at No. 1, the bigger question is who the Bears select with their own No. 9 selection.
There are several options they could go: select a top wide receiver (if one falls), draft an edge rusher, land a top offensive tackle or trade back. But looking at what Chicago did — and didn’t do — in free agency, it certainly feels like edge rusher is a strong possibility at ninth overall.
Alabama’s Dallas Turner is arguably the best edge rusher in this draft class, joined by Florida State’s Jared Verse and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, and it sounds like he’ll get a chance to impress general manager Ryan Poles and co.
Turner told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that he has an upcoming pre-draft visit scheduled with the Bears. No word yet on whether it’s a Top 30 visit.
Alabama edge Dallas Turner — who could be the first defensive player off the board — told me he has upcoming pre-draft visits with, among others, the #Bears (Nos. 1 and 9 overall picks), #Falcons (8) and #Vikings (11 and 23).
See the interview later on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/hjjarYZsv7
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 20, 2024
While the Bears have bolstered their offense in a big way this offseason, they still have questions along the defensive line. Chicago needs a complement for Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat, and perhaps that could be Turner.
