Bears trade back, land stud edge rusher in new USA Today mock draft

The Chicago Bears are a top discussion right now regarding the 2024 NFL draft. It is because they have the number one overall pick. 

The intrigue with them isn’t that pick though. We know what they are going to do there. It is their ninth overall pick that has people in Chicago guessing about what they are going to consider. 

USA Today’s Nate Davis released his latest first-round mock draft, where the Bears made a move to acquire additional draft capital.

With the first overall pick, he has them shocking nobody by selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is considered the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck, so he has a lot to live up to in the NFL.

No (more) subterfuge required here. Previous QB1 Justin Fields was in Pittsburgh by the time Bears brass descended on Southern California’s campus for Williams’ pro day last month. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will inherit something far closer to a turnkey operation than Fields ever had in the Windy City (or Williams himself enjoyed in SoCal last year). But make no mistake, his athleticism and creativity as a passer should elevate this franchise sooner rather than later.

But the ninth overall pick is where things get interesting. Instead of staying put and selecting LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, Chicago elects to trade back with the Arizona Cardinals, who acquired the No. 13 pick via the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders.

With the 13th pick, the Bears shore up edge rusher with Florida State’s Jared Verse. Chicago is slated to host Verse for a Top 30 visit at Halas Hall.

Why would Chicago punt on a second top-10 pick? Well, selections that lofty – even on rookie contracts – get expensive. And as good a situation as it appears, GM Ryan Poles has a league-low four picks this year – and moving down just this far would still enable him to fill a need with a stud while adding a choice likely to be in the third- or second-round range depending on what year it lands. And though he acquired DE Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last year, Poles still needs a pass rusher on the other side. Verse, who will also bow up against the run, was a first-team All-American during both of his seasons with the Seminoles and registered nine sacks in each.

In two seasons with the Seminoles, Verse had 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. Stats like that are a big reason for his projected first-round selection.

If this mock draft came to fruition, it would be considered a win. Not only does Chicago land their new franchise quarterback, they acquire additional draft capital and add a star pass rusher in the first round alone. That would be a great start. 

The Bears traded for Montez Sweat last season and he helped the defense make a complete 180. With another big-time pass rusher on the outside, the sky is the limit for this group. Hopefully, general manager Ryan Poles recognizes how good this potential scenario could be for them in the long run.

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts