Reassessing the Bears’ 2024 NFL Draft Needs After Keenan Allen Trade

The Chicago Bears’ list of 2024 NFL Draft needs was pretty well defined before Thursday night’s blockbuster trade for former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen. Now, it’s not so clear.

The Bears’ high-ranking need at wide receiver was addressed in spades for this season, but Allen will be 32 years old and is in the final year of his contract. There’s a chance Chicago will sign him to an extension (maybe a two-year deal) and keep him in town through 2025, but that’s nothing more than speculation right now. I doubt his presence completely eliminates wide receiver from consideration at the Bears’ second first-round pick, No. 9 overall.

The 2024 NFL Draft is roughly six weeks away, and as is the case this time of year, free agency and trades reshuffle team needs. The Keenan Allen trade is a perfect example. Here’s our revised list of Chicago Bears’ 2024 NFL Draft needs.

Top Need: Edge Rusher

Edge rusher has officially surpassed wide receiver as the Chicago Bears’ most pressing need. General manager Ryan Poles hasn’t signed any defensive linemen in free agency, leaving just DeMarcus Walker and Dominique Robinson as candidates to start opposite Montez Sweat. I like Walker, but the Bears need a player who can make more of an impact.

Prospects worth watching: Dallas Turner (Alabama), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Jared Verse (Florida State)

No. 2 Need: Wide Receiver

Despite the trade for Keenan Allen, the Bears still need to add to their wide receiver room. DJ Moore and Allen will be the primary targets, but Chicago has a unique opportunity to create an elite receiving trio if they use the No. 9 pick on Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. If either pass catcher slides to No. 9, they’ll get strong consideration.

Prospects worth watching: Malik Nabers (LSU), Rome Odunze (Washington), Ladd McConkey (Georgia)

No. 3 Need: Interior Defensive Lineman

The Bears spent a second and third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens. While Dexter flashed impressive upside toward the end of his rookie season, it still feels like Chicago could use competition at the position (at the very least). There isn’t a prospect worth taking at No. 9 overall, but if the Bears trade back (or pick up a second-round pick), this could be the position they target.

Prospects worth watching: Byron Murphy (Texas), Braden Fiske (Florida State), Jer’Zhan Newton (Illinois)

No. 4 Need: Center

The Bears traded for Ryan Bates and signed Coleman Shelton in free agency. Both players can be above-average starters, with Shelton the most likely to begin the year with the first team. But neither has a long-term contract. Center won’t be a position Ryan Poles addresses in the first round, but if he adds a second-round pick or a quality center slides to the third round, there’s a good chance Chicago will pull the trigger.

Prospects worth watching: Zach Frazier (West Virginia), Sedrick Van Pran (Georgia)

No. 5 Need: Safety

Kevin Byard was a very good signing and brings veteran stability to safety, much like Keenan Allen will do at wide receiver. However, it looked like a little tread wore off his tires last year, and if he continues to regress, the Bears have to have his replacement in his pipeline.

Prospects worth watching: Kamren Kinchens (Miami), Cole Bishop (Utah), Sione Vaki (Utah)