by Andy Jachim
Following a hectic week of free agency and trades across the NFL, it’s time to settle in and fully prepare for the draft. This full-steam-ahead mentality excites every single fanbase. Regardless of the current situation their franchise might be in, it’s hard not to get excited about the hope that the draft brings.
Ryan Poles has already been extremely active since the new league year began. Bringing in D’Andre Swift and Kevin Byard via free agency and making a splash trade for Keenan Allen from the Chargers has created plenty of noise around Halas Hall.
One move made by the Bears front office that disappointed the fan base in terms of the return they received was the deal that sent Justin Fields to Pittsburgh. Poles waited too long to move on from the former first-round selection, so his market wasn’t as strong as it was originally rumored to be. Most fans were hoping Fields could bring back 2024 draft capital, regardless of where he was sent. That unfortunately was not the case, and it leaves the Bears in a rather interesting situation for this year’s draft.
Poles dished out one of the teams’ two fourth-round selections in the Allen deal, but nobody is going to complain about that. Knowing the GM’s history, a trade back (or multiple trades back) could certainly be in the cards to add more picks. It helps that the Bears don’t have as many needs entering Poles’ third draft but having a few extra selections could still be beneficial.
1.01 (VIA PANTHERS) – Caleb Williams – QB – USC
It was known even before the 2023 draft that Caleb Williams would likely be the first selection in this draft, no matter who held the pick. The Bears hit the jackpot in the deal they made with Carolina last March for the top selection in the 2023 draft. The Panthers selected Bryce Young and didn’t do a whole lot to help him out and because of this, Chicago has a potential generational talent available to them.
Williams is the most touted prospect since Trevor Lawrence, and before him, Andrew Luck. The USC Trojan won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, and despite having a not-as-great 2023 season, his numbers are still more than worthy of this top selection. His arm talent is unprecedented, and this is the type of guy the Bears need to bring the franchise to competitive relevancy once again.
It’s very rare when a team gets to upgrade at a position while saving money in the short term and that’s what the Bears are doing here with Williams. No prospect of this caliber has ever been set up in this type of position, either. Williams joins a team that was 7-10 a season ago and has upgraded on the offensive side of the ball pretty significantly.
The Bears won’t be contending for Super Bowls overnight, but the upside on Williams, combined with this new-look offense, is hard not to get excited about in the Windy City.
TRADE!
Bears Receive; Picks 13, 77
Raiders Receive: Pick 9
Thanks to the mock draft simulator that was used here, Las Vegas was so kind as to give a decent offer for the ninth pick. In return, the Bears move down a few spots while collecting an extra third-rounder in the process.
Now, the Bears’ fielding offers for the ninth selection all depend on how many quarterbacks are off the board before the pick rolls around. With it growing more and more likely that JJ McCarthy goes before that pick, Poles might be forced to just use the selection himself. While this isn’t a bad thing, an offer from Vegas like this is perfect. Collecting an extra Day Two pick while only moving down four spots is a major victory.
It’s worth noting that the Bears currently have ten picks in the 2025 draft. This includes two seconds (thank you, Carolina). Chicago could end up with an extra mid-round pick if Ian Cunningham gets plucked from the front office to be the GM of another franchise.
1.13 (VIA RAIDERS) – Jared Verse – Edge – Florida State
I have Dallas Turner as my top-rated edge-rushing prospect in this draft. However, it’s likely that he might not be on the board at nine and if he is, he certainly won’t be around by the 13th pick. Verse could be unavailable in this spot as well, but he happened to be there in this situation.
The Florida State Seminole is widely regarded as the number two edge in this class, and his numbers back that up. In two seasons at FSU, Verse recorded nine sacks each year. He tested well at the combine, being near the top of the leaderboard amongst edges in multiple categories.
The Bears desperately need some pressure on the opposite side of Montez Sweat, and Verse provides just that.
3.75 – Devontez Walker – WR – North Carolina
Despite adding Allen to go alongside DJ Moore, another wide receiver wouldn’t hurt to have for Williams. Walker is wicked fast, as he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine. In three seasons at North Carolina, he came closest to the 1,000-yard mark as a sophomore. He finished his second year as a Tar Heel with 921 yards on 58 grabs, finding the endzone 11 times. Walker’s numbers dipped a tad this past season due to a waiver issue with the NCAA. As a two-time transfer, he was initially denied eligibility for 2023. After review, the NCAA reinstated Walker after missing North Carolina’s first four games. He finished last season with 41 catches, posting 699 yards and seven touchdowns.
There’s no doubt that Walker has big play ability. He’s a downfield threat that can struggle in the intermediate game, but that’s what Moore and Allen are there for. For a Bears team that has a few extra needs in this draft, the Charlotte native could be a third-round gem in bolstering their wide-out room.
3.77 (VIA RAIDERS) – Maason Smith – DT – LSU
Poles not addressing the Bears defensive line whatsoever in free agency shows a potential need on the interior, along with an edge. Despite drafting both Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens on the second day of the draft last year, another Day Two guy doesn’t hurt here.
Smith is a prospect who was highly touted on draft boards entering this past college football campaign but has since lost some steam. His injury history and limited pass-rushing abilities hurt his stock, which benefits a team like Chicago looking for a steal in the third round. His frame is perfect for an NFL D-Lineman at 6’5, 305 lbs. His athleticism at his size is something that teams will hope to build off. In two seasons at LSU, Smith finished with six and a half sacks.
4.122 – Jaden Hicks – S – Washington State
This last selection on Poles’ plate is a rather complicated one. A trade down here is certainly possible to gain more day three capital, but making the pick here is fine, too. The four main needs have already been addressed in the prior choices, so what does that leave here in the fourth round? The Bears could go center at 122. Just because they added Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton doesn’t mean the issue is solved permanently. However, none of the main centers in this class will be around at this point. Forcing a selection based on positional need on day three is something Poles rarely does, so it would be hard to imagine that changing here.
Hicks is a great all-around athlete. He’s versatile in the back two levels of a defense and can make a play on the football while laying down the boom when needed. In two seasons of playing at Washington State, Hicks totaled 151 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3.5 sacks with a forced fumble. This regime has emphasized the desire to add athletes and pure football players whenever possible, and Hicks fits that description.
More trade downs are inevitable with Poles, and the Bears could even keep the pick at nine. What is known are the needs at QB, WR, and the D-Line. Just like last year, this is a strong draft class and another fantastic opportunity for the front office to steer this rebuild in the right direction.
*Mock draft conducted through profootballnetwork.com*
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