2024 NFL Draft: 3 dream scenarios for Chicago Bears with two first-round picks

The 2024 NFL Draft is nearly upon us, and we will soon have answers to some burning questions. For Chicago Bears fans, the biggest mystery since the Justin Fields trade has been what they will do with the ninth overall pick. The first pick will be Caleb Williams, no one questions that anymore. But the ninth pick, the Bears’ second first-rounder, isn’t so clear.

The Bears could trade up, trade back, or stay put. They could add a blue-chipper on defense or offense. They could literally do anything.

There are many good scenarios for the Chicago Bears on draft night, but only a few dream scenarios could result in a draft class that will be prasied for months to come.

Let’s take a look at what those scenarios would be.

1. Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr.

This could potentially be the greatest Bears draft class of all time if they acquired both the best quarterback prospect and the best overall prospect in the same draft and both reach their NFL ceiling.

Williams has a legitimate chance to be a perennial Pro Bowler, an MVP candidate, and the greatest quarterback in franchise history. Harrison Jr. has a Hall of Fame ceiling. The Bears would probably have to trade up to make this happen, and it might not be the wisest use of draft capital, but Chicago Bears fans would be partying like it’s 1985 if Williams and Harrison were both wearing Bears draft hats on April 25.

2. Caleb Williams and Joe Alt

Arguably, having a great offensive line is even more important than having great receivers.

Joe Alt is a generational left tackle, the best prospect to enter the league since Joe Thomas in 2007. The Bears could plug Alt into the left tackle spot and forget about it for the next 12 years. I only have this scenario ranked second because I think Chicago’s current left tackle, Braxton Jones, is already a good starter, and I’m not sure where he’d end up of the 2024 NFL Draft unfolds this way. Traded? Bumped inside? Become a backup swing tackle? It wouldn’t be fair to Jones, who’s played in almost every game in two years and has been a solid left tackle despite his Day 3 draft pedigree.

Still, the NFL is a business, and Alt would be a clear upgrade. Most GMs can only dream about getting their franchise quarterback and left tackle in the same draft class. For Ryan Poles, it could be a reality.

3. Caleb Williams and Dallas Turner

Turner is widely regarded as the best defender in this year’s draft class, and many expect him to end up in Atlanta, but there’s a good chance he could be available for the Bears at 9th overall. He may fit better in a 3-4 defense, but with his elite athleticism and blistering speed, he should be able to play well in any scheme.

It’s hard to see Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus passing on him if he’s available, and for good reason. The Bears’ defense finished the 2023 season strong, mostly due to Montez Sweat’s addition. Still, the pass rush is incomplete, and the defense needs another dominant force opposite Sweat to become a true top-five defense in the league.

If the Chicago Bears can exit the first round of the 2024 NFL draft with the best quarterback and pass-rushing prospect, it’s hard to imagine any Bears fan going to bed unhappy.