Windy City Gridiron
WCG’s lead draft analyst shares his latest 7-round mock draft for the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s been too long. Time for a mock draft.
These last few weeks, many around me — on Windy City Gridiron, as well — have been getting into mock draft madness with the 2024 NFL Draft just a few weeks away. Though I’ve been busy writing up prospect interviews the last few weeks, I feel as though now is a perfect time to go all-in on everyone’s favorite form of easily digestible draft content.
The Bears currently only have four picks in this year’s draft, though two of them are in the top 10. With such a small quantity of selections, one would expect general manager Ryan Poles to trade back in some capacity to stock up on later-round selections. In this mock, I’ll have them doing exactly that.
Here’s my latest 7-round mock draft for the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s not going to be anybody else.
Bears receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 18), 2024 second-round pick (No. 49), 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 115), 2025 third-round pick
Bengals receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 9), 2025 fifth-round pick
In this mock draft, all three of the top wide receivers were gone before No. 9. Marvin Harrison Jr. went No. 4 to the Cardinals, Malik Nabers went No. 6 to the Giants, and the Jaguars traded up to No. 8 for Rome Odunze.
If the Bears can’t get one of them, I firmly believe their best choice is to trade down. The Bengals move up to No. 9 to trade up for an offensive tackle, specifically Taliese Fuaga. The Bears add some picks for the 2024 class, as well as moving up in 2025.
The Bears have a pretty glaring need at edge rusher, and while the value at No. 9 isn’t tremendous at that position, you could get a good starter inside the top 20.
Verse is an explosive edge rusher with a deep arsenal of techniques to shed blocks, a high football IQ and a red-hot motor. He’s a bit older for a draft prospect, but he seems like a consistent bet to flirt with double-digit sacks at the next level. Pair that with Montez Sweat, and you’re in business.
Bears receive: 2024 second-round pick (No. 46), 2024 third-round pick (No. 82)
Colts receive: 2024 second-round pick (No. 49), 2024 third-round pick (No. 75)
The Bears move up a few spots for a wide receiver. I’ve pursued other receivers like Ricky Pearsall and Ja’Lynn Polk on Day 2 in the past, so I wanted to mix it up a bit. Chicago has two star wide receivers, but one skill set they don’t have right now is a big-bodied, physical ‘X’...
