NFL Draft: Chicago Bears fans want this position targeted with ninth pick

Chicago Bears fans will enjoy a unique 2024 NFL draft experience. They’ll have the joy of welcoming a generational quarterback with the first overall pick while still being anxiously excited about who the Bears’ mystery first-rounder, the guy they select with the ninth pick, will be.

Caleb Williams is that quarterback, of course. He has a chance to rewrite every Chicago Bears single-season passing record as a rookie, which is due to equal parts Williams’ special ability and the Bears’ horrendous quarterback history.

Bears fans are counting down to Williams’ name being called. There’s no mystery, no drama.

As for the ninth pick? Chicago Bears fans are beginning to unite around one obvious need as the preferred target for that critical selection.

Bears Talk ran a poll on X (formerly Twitter), and the results spoke volumes about what fans hope GM Ryan Poles will do on April 25.

MORE: Updated Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

With just over one week until the 2024 #NFLdraft kicks off, which position do you want the #Bears to target at No. 9 overall (assuming they don’t trade out)?

— Bears Talk (@TheBearsTalk) April 17, 2024

The roster needs that the Bears must address during the 2024 NFL Draft are obvious: Wide receiver, defensive end, interior defensive lineman, and, potentially, offensive line. But the value of the potential wide receiver who could fall to the ninth pick is likely what swayed fans in that direction.

If any of the big three wide receiver prospects slip to No. 9—Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze—they’ll represent the best combination of value and need for the Bears. All three wideouts are arguably among the top five players in this year’s draft class. It only makes sense, then, that Poles would select a top-five talent at the ninth pick rather than “settle” on a fringe top-10 prospect simply because he can rush the passer.

Don’t pass up great players for good players!

Remember: the best way to ensure Caleb Williams is a success is by surrounding him with dudes who can make plays. Harrison Jr., Nabers, and Odunze are those guys.