Complete Chicago Bears 7-round Post-Combine Mock Draft

Now that the 2024 NFL Combine is over, and pro days are the only pre-NFL Draft events remaining on the calendar, the narrative around the first round is really beginning to crystallize.

It’s especially true for the Chicago Bears, who, coming into the Combine, were a team clouded in mystery about what general manager Ryan Poles was planning at quarterback.

It doesn’t feel like much of a mystery anymore.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams shined during his media session, and by all accounts, his meeting with Poles and the rest of the Chicago Bears’ primary decision-makers went great.

At this point, the only thing left for Poles to do is trade Justin Fields and officially hand the keys of the franchise to Williams.

Let’s run through a post-NFL Combine 2024 mock draft and see how the Underwear Olympics changed a Bears’ draft haul.

A quick side note: I decided to conduct this Bears mock draft under the assumption that Chicago will trade Fields to the Atlanta Falcons for their second-round pick (No. 43 overall).

Let’s go.

Round 1.01: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Williams is the obvious pick at this point in the 2024 NFL Draft process. He’s the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, and one of the best quarterbacks to enter the NFL in many years. Any off-field concerns about his personality or desire have been misguided. The Chicago Bears land a legitimate franchise quarterback at No. 1 overall.

Round 1.09: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Most mock drafts have Nabers falling to the Bears at No. 9, and while I think it’s still unlikely he’ll slide this far, the momentum around Washington’s Rome Odunze could push Nabers to WR3. And if that happens, he could be there for the Bears. And if he’s, he’d combine with DJ Moore to give Caleb Williams a nuclear 1-2 punch to begin his career. Nabers is the most explosive receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Chicago needs explosive playmakers.

Round 2.43: Braden Fiske, iDL, Florida State

This is the pick the Chicago Bears could get in a Justin Fields trade to the Falcons, and if Poles flips it into Fiske, it’s a home run. Fiske has been one of the biggest winners during draft season, and he profiles as an ideal fit for Matt Eberfluls’ defense (three-tech). Fiske’s relentless motor, impressive power, and high-end athleticism will lead to success in the NFL.

Round 3.75: Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia

I’m not a fan of a rookie center pairing with a rookie quarterback, but if the Bears don’t overpay for a starter in free agency, they’ll have no choice but to target a player like Van Pran in Round 3. He’s an experienced center who’s enjoyed a high level of play in the SEC. There’s no doubt Van Pran will be a solid pro, even if his career begins with some normal rookie turbulence.

Round 4.111: Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas

I expect the Chicago Bears to prioritize edge rusher this offseason, both in free agency and the NFL Draft. Assuming Poles catches a big fish in free agency (Danielle Hunter? Brian Burns?), a player like Booker in Round 4 makes a lot of sense. He has great length and solid production in 2023 (eight sacks) and can be stashed behind Montez Sweat and the soon-to-be free-agent signing as a rotational player early in his career.

Round 4.123: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC

Lloyd is a talented multi-purpose running back who has enough natural ability to leapfrog both Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in the Bears’ long-term running back plans. Herbert is entering the final year of his contract, and I doubt the Bears will prioritize re-signing him. Lloyd could elevate into Herbert’s role in 2025 and help form a respectable duo with Johnson moving forward. He’s also a college teammate of Caleb Williams, and I’m a fan of adding a familiar face in the locker room for your first-round quarterback.

Round 5.143: Tykee Smith, SAF, Georgia

The Bears can’t end the 2024 NFL Draft without adding more talent to the safety room. Gone is Eddie Jackson, and while Smith wouldn’t be a replacement for Jackson, he does offer some appealing athletic traits and range as a back-end defender.