Sports Illustrated resets Bears’ rebuild in latest 2024 NFL mock draft

The Carolina Panthers are oh so close to gifting the Chicago Bears the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. And it’s a good year to have that top pick, too.

This year’s draft class includes at least two blue-chip quarterback prospects in USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye. Both passers are considered potential franchise quarterbacks and are expected to be the first two picks in Round 1.

If the 2023 season ended today, the Bears would have the first pick, and they’d have their choice of either quarterback if they decide to move on from Justin Fields.

That decision … to move on from Fields … isn’t an easy one. He’s a dynamic playmaker who’s been handcuffed by horrendous coaching and a lackluster supporting cast. It’s scary to think of what he’d do in an offense like the San Francisco 49ers or even the Atlanta Falcons.

Perhaps the Bears will run it back with Fields for one more year. Maybe the 2024 offseason will be centered around adding more playmakers to the offense and giving Fields one last shot at proving he is one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.

But, man, it’ll be really hard to pass on Williams with the first pick, and in the latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft from Sports Illustrated, the Bears can’t resist.

They select Williams at No. 1.

“The Bears could choose to keep building around Justin Fields (either by using this pick on a different position, or by trading down like they did last year), but if there’s a new coaching staff in Chicago, conventional wisdom says they’ll want to hand-pick their own franchise quarterback,” SI’s Luke Easterling wrote. “Despite his up-and-down 2023 season, Williams” rare talent gives him limitless upside that’s worth the top pick.”

Willams” ceiling is as high as that of any quarterback who’s entered the NFL since Andrew Luck. Risk is also baked into his evaluation, but that’s the case with every quarterback prospect. Is Williams closer to Patrick Mahomes on the quarterback scale? Or will he flop like Zach Wilson?

We won’t know until we know. But passing on a quarterback because of the potential downside is a risk that good general managers don’t take. Williams has a very real chance at being one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL as soon as his rookie season, and I think the Bears would live to regret not picking him if they have the chance.

Disclaimer: I’m a huge Justin Fields fan and will support him if he’s the Bears’ guy in 2024. But I can’t be blinded by my love for his style of play, Williams is a better quarterback prospect, and that’s really all that matters.

Easterling’s 2024 mock draft was a three-rounder, and his Chicago Bears’ draft haul ended up with Caleb Williams, UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu (No. 5 overall), and Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson (third round).

Latu is a popular recurring name in Chicago Bears mock drafts, and for good reason. He’s a pass-rushing freak who, if paired with Montez Sweat, would give the Bears the most skilled pair of edge rushers they’ve had in a very long time.

I’m a VERY big fan of UCLA EDGE and Lombardi award winner Laiatu Latu. Unbelievable motor and fantastic technique. He is going to have plenty of DCs excited to draft him pic.twitter.com/8pvuVteh1y

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) December 7, 2023

Latu has 13 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss this season, both career-highs.

Despite his elite production, Latu is at risk of being a draft-day faller. He has a rough injury history (neck) that could force teams to shy away from him in the top 10. Medicals will be a critical factor in his final draft grade.

As for Wilson, he’s a big-bodied possession receiver who’d provide the Chicago Bears’ passing game with a sound red-zone complement to DJ Moore.

Johnny Wilson vs Clemson

5 receptions, 94 yards

Check out full game below!#johnnywilson #floridastate #nfldraft2024 pic.twitter.com/FI6cNCrYRz

— Draft Prospects (@draft_prospects) December 3, 2023

Wilson stands an estimated 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds. He’ll be one of the biggest wideouts with one of the largest catch radiuses in the NFL … right away.

Speed is his biggest question at this point. If he runs a slow 40-yard dash, he could top out as a bigger version of Equanimeous St. Brown. Not terrible, but certainly not third-round worthy.

Wilson finished the 2023 season with 41 catches for 617 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.

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