The primary decide in our second Chicago Bears mock draft didn’t change, however the dynamics round it did.
When Justin Fields was traded, it formally cemented the Bears in place to draft a rookie quarterback. There nonetheless is little thriller round it, however a distinct commerce might have had a much bigger impression on this train.
By buying and selling their fourth-round decide for Professional Bowl broad receiver Keenan Allen, the Bears now have solely 4 picks (additionally they traded their fifth-rounder for offensive lineman Ryan Bates). Basic supervisor Ryan Poles had 21 draft picks in his first two seasons, however this has been a distinct offseason, one benefiting from a window to contend.
Model 2.0 additionally comes on the heels of the primary wave of free company, which noticed the Bears add starters at operating again and security, a No. 2 tight finish and purchase Allen.
We didn’t make any trades on this mock draft as a approach to see the challenges dealing with the Bears so far as filling wants and including impression gamers. They nonetheless have two top-10 picks and three within the prime 75 and an impressive alternative to seek out extra foundational items.
With assist from The Athletic draft skilled Dane Brugler’s rankings and scouting experiences, right here’s our Bears mock draft 2.0.
Spherical 1, decide No. 1
Adam Jahns: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
With Fields traded, the desk is prepared for Williams. Receivers DJ Moore and Allen, operating again D’Andre Swift, tight finish Cole Kmet, proper deal with Darnell Wright and others are all sitting there ready for him. Of all of the QB-needy groups within the prime finish of the draft, the Bears have by far one of the best state of affairs for a rookie quarterback to affix.
In fact, something can nonetheless occur. It’s the NFL. The analysis strategy of Williams and different QBs within the draft is way from over. However the Bears wouldn’t have traded Fields in the event that they weren’t comfy with the data they’ve on Williams.
Buying and selling Fields in March additionally tells us that the Bears are excessive sufficient on different quarterbacks within the draft in the event that they need to pivot off of Wiliams for no matter cause.
One other Caleb Williams massive time throw vs Utah in 2022 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/qMGUyRnZ1A
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 18, 2024
Kevin Fishbain: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
I’m nonetheless permitting for the (distant) chance the Bears undergo this course of and resolve Williams isn’t for them. However based mostly on what we all know, after professional day and forward of his go to to Halas Corridor, Williams nonetheless looks as if the no-doubt choice at No. 1. Poles is aware of full effectively what it will probably imply for an offense when a quarterback can do the sorts of issues Patrick Mahomes does. We’re a good distance from understanding if Williams can ever be wherever close to pretty much as good as Mahomes, however we all know these traits are related.
GO DEEPER
Inside Caleb Williams’ USC professional day: A becoming spectacle however little No. 1 decide drama
Spherical 1, decide No. 9
Jahns: Jared Verse, defensive finish, Florida State
The acquisition of Allen protects the Bears from the likelihood that the three prime receivers — Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze — are off the board inside the first eight picks. So let’s say that occurs. On this state of affairs, Notre Dame left deal with Joe Alt is gone, too.
What’s going to the Bears’ draft board inform them to do? Do they take one other blue-chip offensive lineman or probably the primary defensive participant of the draft?
After we seemed on the Bears’ roster place by place final week, the outlet at defensive finish reverse Montez Sweat was placing. The Bears nonetheless have DeMarcus Walker, however the choice to signal Yannick Ngakoue after which commerce for Sweat is a reminder that cross rusher is a place that requires fixed consideration.
Verse (6 foot 4, 254 kilos) looks as if a participant who matches the whole lot coach Matt Eberflus desires. He has lengthy arms (33 1/2 inches) and he’s very athletic (operating the 40 in 4.58 seconds). He additionally performed and excelled at Albany earlier than transferring to Florida State.
Different defensive gamers may need extra upside than Verse, however he seems NFL-ready now. His energy and violent model make him an ideal complement to Sweat. And that ought to begin on day one.
“He units a bodily edge within the run recreation and is all the time across the soccer due to his consciousness, effort and fierce play persona,” Brugler mentioned.
Florida State DE/OLB Jared Verse
I believe professional coaches will actually like his play model. Effort, urgency. Discipline consciousness/rush method. Can get on the sides with pace/win with energy (beneath). Suits a number of NFL fronts. pic.twitter.com/tfKZaH8To4
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 19, 2024
Fishbain: Dallas Turner, edge, Alabama
The chance to take one of the best defensive participant within the draft must be an attractive one for Eberflus. In Turner, he will get an impressive athlete who led the SEC in sacks in 2023 with 10, to go together with 14 1/2 tackles for loss, two compelled fumbles and a cross breakup. He was a first-team All-American. Brugler wrote that Turner has an “elite aggressive motor,” which we all know is one thing Eberflus values.
What a 4th-down cease by Dallas Turner.
Recognized extra for his cross rush, Turner is a possible top-10 decide in April as a result of he is a well-rounded participant. Grades very effectively vs. the run additionally. pic.twitter.com/KOxFLLCSGz
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 10, 2023
Turner’s 4.46 40 ranked within the 99th percentile for defensive ends, alongside together with his vertical bounce of 40.5 inches. He doesn’t have perfect peak (simply shy of 6-3), however his 34-plus-inch arms will assist. Turner is flexible and would give Eberflus a number of choices to make use of him. Pairing Turner with Sweat whereas having Walker because the No. 3, and as somebody who can kick inside, could be fairly the increase to the entrance 4.
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Spherical 3, decide No. 75
Jahns: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
If this receivers class is pretty much as good as everybody says, the Bears ought to reap the benefits of it and draft one sooner or later. Moore and Allen will assist Williams instantly. However Poles all the time has stored the long run in thoughts.
With so many good receivers, some shall be accessible within the third spherical.
Corley (5-11, 215 kilos) was voted the highest receiver on the Nationwide group on the Senior Bowl. He was extraordinarily productive in school, particularly with the ball in his fingers. He was known as the “YAC King” for yards after the catch. He was additionally No. 81 on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks Listing” final 12 months.
“Corley, who arrived at WKU in the summertime of COVID-19 at 193 kilos, is as much as 220 on his 5-11 body, wanting extra like a operating again than your typical receiver,” Feldman wrote.
Greatest factor NFL scouts wished to see from Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley throughout @seniorbowl week was him operating a full route tree. Secure to say he answered any questions.
And sure, we put Corley in jersey #81 as a result of @AnquanBoldin is our comp. Cool perk of the job.
You… pic.twitter.com/APpetAI6QT
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 19, 2024
Fishbain: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Forward of the Senior Bowl, Brugler singled out Legette as the kind of receiver who could be a pleasant complement for Moore. Legette is a 6-1, 221-pound receiver who had elite jumps on the mix and a 4.39-second 40. Legette had a breakout season for the Gamecocks in 2023 with 71 catches for 1,255 yards and 7 touchdowns. He additionally has expertise returning kickoffs, setting a South Carolina report in 2022 with a median of 29.4 yards per return.
#SouthCarolina WR Xavier Legette is having a breakout senior 12 months and turning himself into an NFL draft decide.
First 4 years at SC: 423 receiving yds
First 4 gms of 2023: 556 receiving yds (No. 1 in FBS)He makes Mississippi State look gradual on this 76-yd TD. pic.twitter.com/bpsePm3oWV
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 25, 2023
Brugler writes that Legette is finest on “runway” routes (verticals, posts, crossers), and that might profit a passing recreation with Moore and Allen doing a number of work over the short-to-intermediate and center of the sphere. Legette will be that outdoors receiver who can stretch the protection and provides Tyler Scott competitors for the function because the No. 3.
GO DEEPER
NFL beat author mock draft 2.0: Vikings, Broncos commerce up into prime 10 to seize QBs
Spherical 4, decide No. 122
Jahns: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Final 12 months, it was Northwestern defensive deal with Adetomiwa Adebawore who impressed together with his excellent exercise numbers. However he didn’t stand up draft boards as many anticipated him to do. Adebawore was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts within the fourth spherical with the one hundred and tenth decide.
Fiske is one other exercise star, although he ought to nonetheless be thought-about a greater prospect than Adebawore based mostly on his manufacturing at Florida State. The 24-year-old had back-to-back six-sack seasons for the Seminoles. Just like Verse, Fiske additionally strikes me as a participant who will enchantment to Eberflus.
“A sawed-off, throwback brawler (he doesn’t put on gloves on the sphere), Fiske generates motion together with his get-off and uncooked energy and makes use of his disruptive qualities to create stress on the blocking scheme,” Brugler wrote.
Braden Fiske… You need this ball of power in your DL🔥🔥
I like gamers that ‘look’ like they love being on the market – hair on fireplace, to the echo of the whistle-types. pic.twitter.com/sFdmkl9Zt1
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 19, 2024
On the mix, Fiske (6-4, 292 kilos) ran the 40 in 4.78 seconds. He had a broad bounce of 9 toes, 9 inches and a vertical bounce of 33 1/2 inches. In accordance with the NFL’s Subsequent Gen Stats, Fiske turned the primary defensive deal with to complete first amongst his place group in all three classes since Tank Johnson did it in 2004. The Bears and Lovie Smith drafted Johnson within the second spherical that 12 months.
Fiske is from Michigan Metropolis, Ind., and performed at Western Michigan earlier than transferring to Florida State.
Fishbain: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
The Bears have acquired two veteran facilities — Bates and Coleman Shelton — however that doesn’t imply they’re finished including on the inside. Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins mixed to overlook 11 video games final season. Neither heart is signed to a long-term contract. The Bears, at minimal, want depth in the course of their line. They may additionally look to make use of this decide to draft and develop a future starter.
Bortolini, who began 12 video games at heart final season and likewise has expertise at guard, put up mix numbers that ought to match what Poles has sought up entrance. Bortolini had an RAS (relative athletic rating) of 9.79. He had one of the best three-cone time amongst all offensive linemen on the mix to go together with the second-best occasions within the 40 and 10-yard break up.
Jahns’ Mock Draft 2.0
Spherical-Choose | Participant | Place | School |
---|---|---|---|
1-1 |
QB |
USC |
|
1-9 |
DE |
Florida State |
|
3-75 |
WR |
Western Kentucky |
|
4-122 |
DT |
Florida State |
Fishbain’s Mock Draft 2.0
Spherical-Choose | Participant | Place | School |
---|---|---|---|
1-1 |
QB |
USC |
|
1-9 |
edge |
Alabama |
|
3-75 |
WR |
South Carolina |
|
4-122 |
OL |
Wisconsin |
GO DEEPER
NFL mock draft: Vikings commerce up, resulting in QB-heavy top-4 choices
(Photographs of Jared Verse, left, Caleb Williams and Dallas Turner: Maddie Meyer and Michael Reaves / Getty Photographs; Gary Cosby Jr. / USA At present)