The Chicago Bears have a pair of top-10 draft picks where they’ll be able to land some top talent to shore up the roster.
While it’s no secret Chicago will use the first overall selection to draft quarterback Caleb Williams — who’s already spent extensive time with Bears brass — there’s some mystery as to what they’ll do at No. 9.
In all likelihood, it’ll depend on how the board falls — but it sounds like wide receiver, edge rusher and offensive tackle are all options.
There are projected to be four quarterbacks selected in the top six, which could help Chicago land a top receiver prospect. In a perfect world, a guy like Washington’s Rome Odunze would fall to them at ninth overall — and it sounds like they’re preparing for that.
According to ESPN reporter Brady Henderson, Odunze is slated to meet with the Bears as part of a Top 30 visit at Halas Hall.
Washington WR Rome Odunze, projected to be drafted early in the first round, tells me he has upcoming meetings with the Cardinals, Jets and Bears at those teams’ facilities. The Giants also flew him out for a meeting after the combine.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 28, 2024
In any other draft class, Odunze would be the definitive top receiver prospect — same goes for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, who are all top receiving threats. A quarterback-heavy top five/six would be ideal for Chicago, which could free up prospects like Odunze, offensive tackle Joe Alt or edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 9.
While the Bears still very much need a starting edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat, the defense was among the league’s best in the final stretch of the season. There’s been a concerted effort to overhaul the offense this offseason, as evidenced by the additions of receiver Keenan Allen, running back D’Andre Swift, tight end Gerald Everett and Williams (to come).
Providing Williams another weapon like Odunze in the passing game would make an already-ideal situation for a rookie quarterback even better.
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