4 DTs the Bears Could Target with Each Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears must draft a difference-making defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears recorded a 31st-ranked 30 sacks throughout the 2023 campaign. Justin Jones, who has since left the franchise in free agency, led all Bears defensive tackles in quarterback takedowns with 4.5. With Chicago’s specific draft capital in mind, we’ve identified four interior defensive line prospects, including an undrafted free-agent type, the Bears should target in the 2024 NFL Draft.

FIRST ROUND (NO. 9) | BYRON MURPHY II | TEXAS

Selecting Murphy at No. 9 would qualify as a reach for the Bears. Still, multiple sources expect the Longhorns standout to be the first defensive tackle drafted, with the expectation that he gets selected between 15th and 20th overall. Poles is entering the 2024 NFL Draft with just four selections at his disposal. Murphy could become an option if Poles trades down to acquire additional picks. Murphy projects as a pass-rushing 3-tech.

THIRD ROUND (NO. 75) | RUKE ORHORHORO | CLEMSON

Matching the Bears and Orhorhoro at No. 75 overall may be my favorite pairing here. Orhorhoro is a strongly built interior defensive lineman who recorded a career-high 5.0 sacks this past season. He pairs functional strength with first-step explosiveness.

Ruke Orhorhoro is a DT prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.88 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 21 out of 1620 DT from 1987 to 2024.

Splits projectedhttps://t.co/g5yYT1hsA5 pic.twitter.com/hCXUNPgLs9

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 1, 2024

FOURTH ROUND (NO. 122) | JUSTIN EBOIGBE | ALABAMA

Eboigbe is being underrated throughout this process. The Crimson Tide defender possesses outstanding size at 6-foot-4, 297 pounds. Eboigbe took a sizable step forward as a pass rusher this season, accumulating a career-high 7.0 sacks after never previously recording more than 1.5 quarterback takedowns in a season. Size and strength are at the forefront of Eboigbe’s makeup.

UDFA | KHRISTIAN BOYD | NORTHERN IOWA

Boyd is a small schooler that was dominant at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Boyd was borderline unblockable at the college all-star event. Boyd lacks the length (31 1/2′) NFL teams covet, but his ability to dominate with power makes him an intriguing prospect with three-down potential.