NEWSLETTER
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos. 1, 9, 75, and 122) on draft weekend. We’re looking at some of the best prospects at various positions leading up to the Draft in search of fits for the Bears’ needs.
Previous: Quarterbacks, Wide receivers and tight ends, Offensive line
Currently on the Roster (2023 PFF Grade)
Projected starters: DE Montez Sweat (74.8), DT Andrew Billings (66.3), DT Gervon Dexter Sr. (50.9), DE DeMarcus Walker (59.1)
Reserves: Byron Cowart (N/A), Jacob Martin (62.1), Zacch Pickens (54.9), Dominique Robinson (35.3), Michael Dwumfour (N/A), Daniel Hardy (N/A), Khalid Kareem (67.7)
Prospect Ranking
Every year, the folks at The Athletic cook up a consensus big board based on a range of draft experts. This year, we’re tapping in and using this to guide us as we attempt get a feel for who the top prospects are in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Here’s how The Athletic’s consensus board ranks the edge defenders (overall ranking in parentheses):
- Dallas Turner, Alabama (9)
- Jared Verse, Florida State (10)
- Laiatu Latu, UCLA (13)
- Chop Robinson, Penn State (26)
- Chris Braswell, Alabama (50)
Other prospects of note: Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan (55); Brian Trice, Washington (66); Adisa Issac, Penn State (68); Austin Booker, Kansas (73); Jonah Ellis, Utah (82).
Here’s how The Athletic’s consensus board ranks the interior defensive linemen (overall ranking in parentheses):
- Byron Murphy II, Texas (18)
- Johnny Newton, Illinois (23)
- Darius Robinson, Missouri (32)
- Braden Fiske, Florida State (41)
- Kris Jenkins, Michigan (49)
Other prospects of note: T’Vondre Sweat, Texas (62); Duke Orhorhoro, Clemson (64); Mason Smith, LSU (69).
There are 18 defensive line prospects who make the cut on The Athletic’s top 100 consensus big board. It looks like the best prospects are at the edge rusher positions with Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Laiatu Latu checking in as top-15 prospects. That 15-30 range seems to be where there is the best place to snag a defensive tackle prospect. Given this info, I’m starting to think that moving back, collecting some additional draft assets, and drafting a defensive tackle like Byron Murphy II or Johnny Newton is a wise play if the Bears aren’t in a spot to draft a top-tier receiver prospect.
Team Need
The Bears offensive line appears set with Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis, and Darnell Wright going from left to right. But the defensive line — outside of Montez Sweat — looks like it could be up for grabs. Don’t get me wrong. The Bears could ride with DeMarcus Walker, Gervon Dexter Sr., and Andrew Billings next to Sweat and be good. But I want more than good from the D-line. I want great. The Bears could get a great player for that line in this draft.
Bears Connections and Possible Fits
The Chicago Bears have been connected to the following prospects:
If I Had to Pick One:
I like DeMarcus Walker enough to give him a full year of lining up on the opposite side of the formation from Montez Sweat. And even though I like what Gervon Dexter Sr. brings to the table, there is something about Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton that piques my interest. Maybe not with the No. 9 pick, but after a trade back? That could work. Newton has earned Consensus All-American honors, received first-team All-Big Ten recognition, and was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. That is a loaded résumé.
So while Newton didn’t test at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis while he was resting and recovering from an injury, his college production is strong. So much so that I wonder if we’d be discussing Newton as a top half of Round 1 pick had he been healthy enough to give it a go at the Combine. I guess we’ll never know.
