2024 NFL Mock Draft Overview: Bears Aim for High-Quality Offensive Talent with Two 1st-Round Picks
The Chicago Bears have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, as they are poised to have two top-four first-round selections in the 2024 NFL draft. While there are still seven weeks remaining in the 2023 season, the outlook is positive.
Thanksgiving-themed mock drafts this week have linked Chicago to some of the top talent in college football. Whether it's a quarterback like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, offensive tackles Olu Fashanu or Joe Alt, or playmaking receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. or Keon Coleman, General Manager Ryan Poles will face critical decisions this offseason.
Here is a summary of the latest 2024 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Bears are targeting a quarterback and an offensive tackle with their two first-round picks:
**Draft Wire:**Curt Popejoy from Draft Wire has the Bears passing on a quarterback and opting for the draft's top receiver and a disruptive defensive tackle with their top-four picks.
- Round 1, Pick 1 (from CAR) � WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State With Justin Fields making progress, selecting the best weapon in the draft for him is an easy choice.
- Round 1, Pick 4 � DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois By passing on a quarterback here, the Bears can bolster their defense with the disruptive interior pass rusher Jer'Zhan Newton.
**Sports Illustrated:**Luke Easterling of Sports Illustrated envisions the Bears addressing the quarterback and left tackle positions with their two first-round selections.
- Round 1, Pick 1 (from CAR) � QB Caleb Williams, USC Given the likelihood of a new coaching staff in 2024, there may be a desire to hand-pick a quarterback. Caleb Williams could be the choice, despite some inconsistencies in his play this year.
- Round 1, Pick 4 � OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State After selecting their new franchise quarterback at No. 1, the Bears focus on protecting him by choosing an elite left tackle like Olu Fashanu.
**CBS Sports:**Josh Edwards of CBS Sports also predicts that Chicago will go with a quarterback and a left tackle for their two top-four draft picks.
- Round 1, Pick 1 (from CAR) � QB Caleb Williams, USC Last year's trade with Carolina appears to be a win for Chicago, and Caleb Williams is seen as a superior quarterback prospect to Bryce Young.
- Round 1, Pick 4 � OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State While Braxton Jones hasn't been the issue for the Chicago offense, Olu Fashanu is considered the best choice given the available options.
