2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears land generational talent in 1st round

The Athletic published their first 2024 NFL Mock Draft of the season, and it’ll have Chicago Bears fans feeling mixed emotions.

First, the bad news: The Athletic has the Bears picking second overall, behind only the Arizona Cardinals. Their projected win total (5.7) is worse than teams like the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is hard to fathom with all the hype surrounding Chicago.

But for this exercise, it is what it is. Chicago owns the Carolina Panthers’ first-rounder, too, which The Athletic has as the eighth overall pick. There’s a reality in which the Panthers could be the second-worst team in the league, and this mock draft order ends up being correct.

And if it is, whoa baby, Bears fans will love the picks.

Who do the Chicago Bears take at No. 2 overall?

The Chicago Bears land Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the second pick in The Athletic’s mock draft. It’s a selection that feels like a pipe dream right now but could very well become a reality if the Panthers struggle as badly as I think they will.

Harrison is a generational wide receiver prospect with an elite combination of traits. He has plus-size, incredible body control, wins in traffic, is a clean route-runner, and has deceptive speed. His bloodlines are incredible, too.

Pairing DJ Moore with Harrison would result in the most talented wide receivers in Chicago Bears history. Assuming Justin Fields is “that dude” after the 2023 season, adding Marvin Harrison Jr. to his arsenal of weapons is simply unfair.

Who do the Chicago Bears take at No. 8 overall?

With the second of their two first-rounders, the Bears land another Ohio State stud in edge defender J.T. Tuimoloau.

Chicago will be back in the market for edge rushers in 2024. Yannick Ngakoue could earn a multi-year contract if he performs at a high level this season, but he alone isn’t enough for coach Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Tuimoloau is expected to shatter the 3.5 sacks he totaled in 2022 this year, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a mock draft that doesn’t have him off the board in the top 10 picks. He’s a plug-and-play upgrade for almost every team.

Grading The Athletic’s Chicago Bears Mock Draft

It’s hard not to love the job The Athletic did for the Chicago Bears. Any team that ends next year’s draft with Marvin Harrison Jr. will get an A.

When adding J.T. Tuimoloau to a first-round haul, it’s an easy A+.

General manager Ryan Poles’ decision to trade the No. 1 overall pick in last April’s draft will be a gift that keeps on giving for Bears fans. There’s a long way to go before we enter draft season, but it’s hard not to get excited about the possibilities that await Poles and the Chicago Bears.