Bears 2024 NFL Draft Needs After First Wave of Free Agency

The Chicago Bears have addressed a handful of positional needs and depth requirements throughout the first wave of free agency. Running back D’Andre Swift, safety Kevin Byard, and tight end Gerald Everett should quickly address major requirements on the roster. Other than Swift, Everett, and Byard, general manager Ryan Poles has been relatively quiet. The acquisitions of Ryan Bates, Matt Pryor, and Brett Rypien have addressed back-end roster needs.

Poles and the Bears still possess some glaring roster holes that must be addressed throughout the second-and-third-wave of free agency, or through the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Poles is scheduled to possess three top-75 selections. These four positions especially require addressing:

EDGE

Another pass-rushing threat is required opposite Montez Sweat. Poles surprisingly hasn’t entered the market for a starting-caliber edge defender, and options are beginning to wane thin. An appropriate partner for Sweat would help Poles continue transforming the Bears’ defensive line.

WIDE RECEIVER

Darnell Mooney signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an unrestricted free agent. It’s looking increasingly likely that the need opposite D.J. Moore will be filled by selecting Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

CENTER

Poles parted ways with Lucas Patrick and Cody Whitehair earlier this offseason. Acquiring Bates through trade gives the Bears an option at center, but a better solution should be identified. The Bears refused to pay a premium for a free-agent center like Lloyd Cushenberry. Chicago attended the Georgia and Oregon Pro Days. Jackson Powers-Johnson and Sedrick Van Pran could be options in the draft.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Darnell Wright played like a long-term solution at right tackle as a rookie. Who will be Chicago’s left tackle of the future? Braxton Jones is an ascending bridge-type option, but a face-of-the-franchise type of talent would upgrade the outlook.