Mock draft season is different in 2024 with the Chicago Bears having the No. 1 pick. It’s exciting, but also from a mock draft perspective, boring at the top. But it’s at the No. 9 pick where things get fun.
“I like the numbers in terms of the talented players that can get to nine,” general manager Ryan Poles said at the NFL owners’ meetings last month.
Bears fans have been exploring the possibilities by using mock draft simulators. Stand pat and take a blue-chip prospect at No. 9 or trade back and still get a really good player while adding draft capital?
In the annual mock draft mailbag, we can continue to learn about prospects who fit the Bears and the avenues available to Poles later this month.
Now, on to your mock drafts.
From Doug K.
1.1 — QB Caleb Williams, USC
1.9 — OT JC Latham, Alabama
3.75 — OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
4.122 — DT Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
This was one of the only mocks that had the Bears picking at their four scheduled slots. Though it’s rare for a team to make zero trades during draft weekend, there could be some merit to this year — even with only four picks. At No. 9, it’s likely a “can’t-miss” prospect is available to Poles. He’ll certainly be able to find a quality player in Round 3, and we know this is not the draft to pile up picks in rounds 5-7.
As Doug alluded to in his submission, we don’t talk much about Latham, Dane Brugler’s third-rated offensive tackle and “arguably the strongest player in this draft class,” Brugler wrote. Latham would probably have to drop weight for the Bears’ scheme (he was 343 pounds at his pro day), and the Bears would have to decide whether he’s a guard. The hesitation is, if the Bears go tackle, would they prefer a surefire left tackle? Latham played right at Alabama.
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Doug loaded up on the offensive line with Frazier, and though the hope with Williams is that the Bears finally answered the quarterback question, wouldn’t it be nice for them to solidify their O-line for years to come? Brugler writes that Frazier “will win over NFL teams with his core strength, football IQ, competitive toughness and understanding of leverage.” He doesn’t have to start from day one, either. Dorlus had eight passes defensed last season at Oregon and would add depth where the Bears need it, on the interior of their defensive line.
Spent some time today at OL Masterminds with the great @BigDuke50 (story coming later).
Zach Frazier was RUNNING on the treadmill while I was there. The same Zach Frazier who broke his leg on November 25! Crazy recovery. He is the top center in the draft for several teams.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 26, 2024
From Jack H.
1.1 — QB Caleb Williams, USC
1.9 — Edge Dallas Turner, Alabama
Trade 3.75, 4.122 and 2025 third-round pick to Eagles for 2.50, 5.171
2.50 — C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
5.171 — WR Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane
Jack has the Bears going with the top defensive player on the board, Turner, at No. 9, giving them a complement to Montez Sweat, and then does something I haven’t seen — trades up from Round 3 to Round 2 for Frazier, Brugler’s 34th-rated player and third-best center.
I’m not sure giving up a future third to move up for a center aligns with today’s game and positional value. Then again, the Bears don’t have a long-term answer at center, Frazier has positional flexibility, and we know Poles is serious about the interior of the line. As an example of the variance of draft season, Frazier was the third-round pick in the previous mock.
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My favorite pick from Jack is probably Jackson, the Tulane receiver, in Round 5. He stood out at the Senior Bowl, ran a 4.42 40 at the combine and has return experience. His injury history and slight build will drop him, but there’s value in someone with, per Brugler, “long speed and short-area quickness, along with the route instincts to create pockets of separation for his quarterback.”
The most consistent WR on the American Team through two practices?
Jha’Quan Jackson pic.twitter.com/bJx8XmhCfv
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 1, 2024
From Richard V.
1.1 — QB Caleb Williams, USC
Trade 1.9 to Saints for 1.14 and 2.45
1.14 — DT Byron Murphy, Texas
2.45 — WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
3.75 — C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Georgia
4.122 — Edge Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss
A few submissions included this mock trade with New Orleans. The Saints, who have Derek Carr at quarterback, could be a dark horse to draft one. Or they could make a play for a wide receiver to pair with Chris Olave.
Using Rich Hill’s trade value chartthe Bears might need to give up a future late-round pick, too, to make sure they get No. 45 back in return. Then again, if a team is trading up for a QB, you can throw those charts out. Getting a second-rounder back in any trade is ideal but could be tough if the trading team is moving up only a few spots.
Getting a second-rounder back and using the new first-round pick on someone like Murphy, who would be the starting three-technique, would be quite the move. Writes Brugler, “Murphy doesn’t have ideal length, but his rare combination of lower-body twitch, natural leverage and power throughout his frame sets him apart. With his disruptive energy, both as a pass rusher and versus the run, he projects as an impact starter who can play shaded nose or three-technique, similar to Grady Jarrett.”
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Franklin, an outside receiver with a 4.41 40-time and eight catches of 40-plus yards last season, would fit in nicely with the Bears’ veteran duo.
Lots of Bears fans want a center in this draft. This city respects good centers (Jay Hilgenberg, Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza). Van Pran-Granger is Brugler’s fifth-ranked center.
#Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran (#63) doesn’t pass up a chance to bury a linebacker in space. Love the competitive finish that he shows each snap. pic.twitter.com/h10TtgjbVI
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 12, 2023
From Sean G.
1.1 — QB Caleb Williams, USC
1.9 — WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Trade 3.75 to Commanders for 3.78 and 5.139
3.78 — Edge Austin Booker, Kansas
4.122 — DT Leonard Taylor III, Miami
5,139 — OT Christian Jones, Texas
When “The Beast” came out last week, Odunze ranked sixth overall. For a receiver of his caliber to be there at No. 9, as someone who would be a great asset for Williams alongside DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, would be a potential coup.
Most mock drafts with the Bears staying at No. 9 projected Odunze, who seems to be a fan favorite for this slot — and I get it. The one question would be: If Odunze is the No. 3 receiver this season, is that worth the No. 9 pick over someone who might offer more production or snaps?
Who is the best NFL prospect in Oregon-Washington showdown Saturday?
My vote is easy: WR Rome Odunze.
Outstanding size/speed athlete (6027v, 217v) with plus body coordination and ball skills to win the catch point. This is a 1st round WR. pic.twitter.com/IWyRSj2Fza
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 13, 2023
I don’t expect Poles to do a lot of wheeling and dealing later in the draft. As he has said, there is a talent drop-off, but to simply get one extra pick is not a bad idea, so I like this trade from Sean. Booker is Brugler’s ninth-ranked edge rusher and described as an “ascending player with the ability to maximize his athletic traits and body length/force with proper biomechanics. With his tools and instincts, he projects as a rotational player in Year 1 with the potential to become an impact starter.”
Taylor seems like a developmental interior defensive lineman, but the Bears need some depth there. Similarly, Jones would give the Bears what they need, which is a young swing tackle.
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From Scott W.
1.1 — QB Caleb Williams, USC
Trade 1.9 to Raiders for 1.13 and 2.44
1.13 — OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
2.44 — WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
3.75 — Edge Bralen Trice, Washington
4.122 — RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
The Raiders are another trade candidate. In our latest beat writer mock draft, however, once J.J. McCarthy was gone at No. 8, the Raiders were no longer interested in trading up. They do need talent.
I also included this draft because it targeted a tackle in Round 1 and a receiver who fits what the Bears need. Similar to the Saints trade earlier, the Bears might need to forfeit a future Day 3 pick to get a second-rounder from the Raiders, but if they can get a starting left tackle, Fashanu, and a No. 3 receiver, McConkey, that’d be impressive.
Fashanu is Brugler’s second-ranked offensive tackle, and he allowed zero sacks on 733 pass-blocking snaps in his 29 career games. That pass blocking prowess would work nicely with Fashanu’s high school teammate, Williams.
McConkey ran a 4.39 40, and we know Poles likes speed from his receivers. Brugler writes that he’s a “sudden, skilled route runner who uses synchronized shake to tie defensive backs in knots.” How’s that for a line?
No words.
pic.twitter.com/ONwKFOfY1N— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) November 12, 2023
Trice is Brugler’s 82nd-ranked prospect, so he’s perfect for this range and had 16 sacks the past two seasons at Washington. I like a defensive lineman who’s been productive in college.
This might be my favorite mock, and when I saw the running back on Day 3, I thought, “Maybe that fourth-rounder should be at a position of need like safety or defensive tackle,” but it’s hard to say no to more assets for the offense. Khalil Herbert is in the last year of his rookie contract. D’Andre Swift is on a two-year deal.
From Marc F.
1.1 — QB Caleb Williams, USC
Trade 1.9 to Rams for 1.19, 2.52, 5.155 and 2025 Rams second-round pick
1.19 — C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
2.52 — DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Trade 3.75 to Broncos for 3.76 and 6.207
Trade 3.76 and 6.207 to Bengals for 3.80 and 2025 fourth-round pick
3.80 — WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
4.122 — Edge Austin Booker, Kansas
5.155 — P Tory Taylor, Iowa
Marc had the most creative trades, and it’s worth exploring how far the Bears can trade back and still get an impact player. For one, they need a willing participant to make the leap to No. 9, and the Los Angeles Rams are a team that might not mind forgoing future draft capital.
The price is still a bit steep. Hill’s draft value chart would argue that simply Nos. 52 and 155 would be enough. If L.A. were making this kind of jump for a quarterback, though, to be Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent, that changes the calculation.
Powers-Johnson becomes your center of the future, and because of Ryan Bates, he wouldn’t need to start right away. Brugler writes, “Powers-Johnson’s inexperience is reflected in his technique, but he offers a fantastic combination of size, athleticism and toughness, with the skill set that translates to both center and guard.”
Orhorhoro matches the athletic requisites for the Bears’ D-line with an RAS of 9.92. He had nine sacks the past two seasons at Texas.
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This is another mock that has a mini trade back in Round 3 to net an extra pick, and Marc grabs another 2025 draft pick — maybe a bit greedy, but he’s doing good work on the phones. Wilson would make a lot of sense for the Bears’ receiving corps, though he is Brugler’s 41st-ranked prospect overall.
Let’s be honest, though, the best part of this mock draft is how it concludes, with Iowa punter extraordinaire Tory Taylor. It was a tough season for Trenton Gill in 2023. At minimum, he should get some competition this summer (the Bears did sign Corliss Waitman to a futures contract), but Taylor would surely take the job.
I’m not sure how willing Poles would be to use a fifth-rounder on a punter, but maybe Taylor’s skills are that rare, and without a lot of talent late in the 2024 draft, what better year to do it?
(Photo of JC Latham: Dale Zanine / USA Today)
2024-04-16 20:07:49
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