How the Chicago Bears’ draft plan could be impacted by the Arizona Cardinals

In many ways, the Arizona Cardinals will have a drastic impact on the direction the Chicago Bears take their No. 9 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft in. Thankfully, the Bears will dictate the start of the draft by selecting USC Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. Quarterbacks are expected to also be drafted by the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots at Nos. 2 and 3 (although the Patriots are entertaining offers to trade out).

The first expected wild card occurs at No. 4 with the Cardinals. Arizona’s general manager Monti Ossenfort could stick-and-pick Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a prospect the Bears likely wish would slide to ninth overall but won’t. Or the Cardinals could trade the fourth selection to another QB-needy franchise, pushing a potential Bears target at No. 9 down the board.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently explained why the Cardinals are, “in the catbird seat.”

“Arizona general manager Monti Ossenfort has advertised, with the No. 4 overall pick, his team is open for business,” Schefter wrote. But no sales are expected to be final until the Cardinals are on the clock. Ossenfort has told teams around the league that have inquired about trading up that he wants to wait until he is in position to pick before agreeing to any trade.”

Some NFL draft week intel from days of phone calls:https://t.co/xDcxo3ourM

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 22, 2024

The ideal outcome for the Bears would see the Cardinals trade down with a Quarterback-Needy team like the Vikings, Broncos, or Raiders. Those teams would leap above Chicago at No. 9 for a quarterback, pushing potential Bears targets like Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Dallas Turner, Olu Fashanu, and Byron Murphy II further down the board.

If the Cardinals pick Harrison Jr. at No. 4, competition could increase for the remaining elite receivers, Nabers and Odunze. Either one would be a terrific pick for Chicago at 9th overall, but the Cardinals will directly impact the likelihood of them lasting that long. A defensive player like Dallas Turner or Byron Murphy II might be the Bears” backup plan.