As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the Chicago Bears are the center of attention, particularly regarding their strategy for the first overall pick. It’s widely anticipated that they’ll opt for USC quarterback Caleb Williams and possibly trade Justin Fields.
However, the Bears also possess another valuable pick, sitting at No. 9, which grants them significant maneuverability beyond their initial selection.
In CBS Sports’ most recent 2024 NFL mock draft, the Bears do indeed select Williams as expected, but they subsequently strike a deal with the Denver Broncos for the No. 9 pick. Denver then chooses Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy to become their new franchise quarterback, stepping in for Russell Wilson following a widely criticized trade.
Despite moving down in the draft order by three spots, the Bears manage to secure a player who would have been considered a significant steal at their original position, snagging Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.
While this mock draft doesn’t detail the compensation the Bears might receive for trading down, if they were to obtain a Day 2 pick while still landing a top-tier talent like Odunze outside the top 10, it would be a substantial victory for the team.
McCarthy represents the fourth and final quarterback selected in this first-round projection, with all four quarterbacks going within the top 10 picks. Alongside Williams and McCarthy are familiar names such as LSU’s Jayden Daniels (No. 2, Washington Commanders) and North Carolina’s Drake Maye (No. 3, New England Patriots). This leaves other notable prospects like Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix waiting until Day 2 to learn their draft fate.
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