mock draft
ESPN NFL Mock Draft Sends Bears Explosive Combo in 1st Round
The latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft from ESPN sends the Chicago Bears an explosive combination that could transform the offense for years to come.
The first wave of 2024 NFL free agency is in the rear-view mirror, and as it drifts further away, attention once again turns to the 2024 NFL Draft.
All eyes will be on the Chicago Bears, who continue to stay in the grey at quarterback. General manager Ryan Poles hasn’t traded Justin Fields (yet), and with most quarterback-needy teams signing free agents to fill the void — even if just as a bridge quarterback — the trade market appears to have dried up.
There have been conflicting reports about the Bears’ plan for Fields. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Chicago hasn’t actively shopped Fields (which had the pro-Fields faction of the fan base lose their minds) while also saying Chicago is waiting until after Caleb Williams” pro day and private visit to actively engage (which made the pro-Williams faction of the fan base lose their minds).
But quarterback is only part of the equation for the Chicago Bears and the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Owners of the ninth overall pick, Chicago has a rare chance to add two blue-chip prospects, including Caleb Williams. It’s OK to acknowledge that, no matter how big of a Justin Fields fan you might be.
ESPN’s Fields Yates acknowledges Williams as the right choice for the Bears in his latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
“It all leads the Bears to Williams, the presumptive No. 1 pick for some period of time now,” Yates wrote. “Williams has an incredible skill set and would afford the Bears the chance to reset the financial clock at quarterback. He can extend plays and is very accurate, and he’d have some playmakers at his disposal in DJ Moore, Cole Kmet and new additions D’Andre Swift and Gerald Everett. Williams threw 30 touchdown passes last season for the Trojans.”
Williams is and always has been the right choice for the Chicago Bears. He’s more talented than Fields and will cost the Bears less money over the next five years. It’s a no-brainer, and the sooner we arrive at this as a consensus opinion, the sooner Bears nation can end and heal from its Civil War.
What most Bears fans do agree on is what Chicago should do with the ninth pick. Yates appears on board, too, sending Chicago a dynamic wide receiver in Washington’s Rome Odunze.
“Grand. Slam,” Yates wrote. “That is what this scenario represents, as the Bears would land a top-six player from my board at a position of need. Odunze would align opposite DJ Moore to form an excellent duo. He is a fantastic route runner and comes down with everything thrown his way. His 1,640 receiving yards led the FBS last season.”
A grand slam indeed.
Not only does Odunze present traits similar to future Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald, but he’d also be joining the Chicago Bears on a rookie contract that gives Poles a cost-controlled WR1-level player for the next five years.
Look at Calvin Ridley Jr.”s contract with the Tennessee Titans (four years, $92 million, $50 million guaranteed) as evidence of why it’s so important to have a starting receiver on a rookie contract. Combined with Caleb Williams” rookie deal, the Chicago Bears will be in an incredible place with their salary cap for the next several years.
This is an A+ Bears mock draft from Field Yates and one that could transform the offense for years to come.
What grade would you give this first-round haul? Create your free user account below and share your opinion in the comments.
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