Bears have chance to put impressive pass catchers around whoever the QB is in 2024

DJ Moore and Cole Kmet had career years in 2023, putting up career highs in several pass-catching categories. But for the rest of the receivers and tight ends of the Chicago Bears, 2023 was a forgettable season. Darnell Mooney is a free agent and seems unlikely to return, Tyler Scott had an up-and-down rookie season, and newcomer Robert Tonyan’s most notable moment was a brutal drop.

In other words, no matter who is the starting quarterback in Chicago in 2024, he will need more reliable pass catchers. Luckily, the 2024 NFL Draft has a deep class of wide receivers and some intriguing options at tight end. Free agency will also see some respectable receivers looking for new teams, as well as a big fish or two. Let’s take a look at how GM Ryan Poles might build up the offense in the coming months.

Free Agency

I recently published a post focusing on five wide receivers the Bears could target in free agency, headlined by Mike Evans. I don’t know if Evans is the kind of guy that Poles will want to sign, He’s older, and he would command a hefty salary. Maybe he’d be a fit if the Bears were closer to contending for a title. Still, I won’t rule it out completely, and it would be a delight to watch Evans and DJ Moore catching passes in Chicago.

The most realistic free agency option for Chicago will likely be Gabe Davis from Buffalo. He’s young, he would be relatively cheap, and he’s been a reliable WR3 for Buffalo for the last couple of years, racking up back-to-back seasons of more than 700 yards. Rolling out a wide receiver room of DJ Moore, a highly drafted rookie, and Gabe Davis would be a decent upgrade over last season.

2024 NFL Draft

As many analysts have mentioned, the 2024 Draft class of receivers is truly impressive. Marvin Harrison Jr. headlines the class, though he is unlikely to end up in Chicago unless the Bears decide to stick with Justin Fields at quarterback (and that’s becoming less and less likely by the day).

Fortunately, two receivers are just a tick behind Harrison and within striking range of Chicago’s 9th overall pick: Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of Washington. You can read Odunze’s scouting report here. As for Nabers, I have him as the WR1b, he’s that close to Harrison in my opinion. He’s not as big as Harrison or Odunze, but he’s fast and runs impressive routes.

The Bears could go the route of a tight end at No. 9: Georgia’s Brock Bowers.

Sure, Cole Kmet is Chicago’s long-term in-line guy, but Bowers has a very different skill set. He’s a super-sized wide receiver and can even play an occasional role in the running game. This may not be a popular pick, but I believe it would pay off in spades once the season started.

There will still be plenty of quality pass-catching options for the Chicago Bears on Day 2 of the draft as well. Georgia’s Ladd McConkey and Oregon’s Troy Franklin are two of my favorites.

The Bears do not currently have a second-round pick, but could end up with one if they trade Justin Fields, which could happen as sooner than Bears fans realize.