The First Post-Super Bowl Mock Drafts Are Out and Some Have the Bears Doing Interesting Stuff

Now that the NFL Draft order is officially set, we can start taking a more serious look at mock drafts.

Let’s jump into it.

My New Favorite Mock Draft

There are days when I feel like there are too many mock drafts to browse through. But then there are days when one hits differently and it has me glad to have a bajillion mocks make their way to my eyeballs.

And this one by Chad Reuter makes me feel things with how he has things going for the Chicago Bears:

This one might be the new leader in the clubhouse for favorite mock drafts. It has everything. Trades! Quarterback movement! Multiple rounds! And a whole bunch of activity by the Bears.

Unlike some mocks that are afraid to project trades, Reuter is fearless. He has the Bears trading down with the Texans in a deal that sends Chicago a pair of picks from the Deshaun Watson trade (including a 1st rounder in 2024). And then again cutting a deal with the Colts for the second overall pick, which gives the Bears first- and second-round picks this spring, plus second- and third-round picks in 2024. It isn’t the best of the possibilities for the Bears. After all, I’d continue insisting on a 2024 first-round pick from the Colts until they gave me the OK. But, hey, if the Bears can rack up a bunch of picks by pitting division rivals in Houston and Indy against each other, then I think GM Ryan Poles can end up doing well for himself.

On top of all of that, Reuter has the Bears making a third trade. The grand finale has the Bears swinging a deal with the Chiefs to get back into the first round to take SMU receiver Rashee Rice. A first-team All-AAC performer in 2022, Rice put up 96 catches for 1,355 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Chicago could use the receiver help, so I’m into it.

As for what the Bears’ three-round mock would look like from Reuter’s perspective, here you go:

  • Round 1, Pick 4: Will Anderson, Alabama EDGE
  • Round 1, Pick 31: Rashee Rice, SMU WR
  • Round 2, Pick 53: Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland OT
  • Round 3, Pick 64: Byron Young, Alabama DT
  • Round 3, Pick 73: Luke Wypler, Ohio State C
  • Five picks in the first two days that address needs on the offensive line (Duncan, Wypler), defensive line (Anderson, Young), and receiver (Rice) while adding four picks in the 2024 NFL Draft would be too sweet.

    The 33rd Team Has the Wildest Bears Mock Draft Yet

    On the one hand, I want to take every mock draft that has the Bears trading away Justin Fields, print it, throw it in a pile of rubbish, burn it, and sprinkle its ashes at the Soldier Field 50-yard-line for cathartic reasons. But on the other hand, I like to laugh. Laughter is good this time of year. And that is what I found myself doing with this most recent mock draft they posted.

    This one is a doozy:

    The irony here is that the Panthers could’ve had Fields had the old regime not been scared off. Whoopsiedoodle.

    I’ll give this mock draft credit for this: The idea of trading down to the Panthers’ ninth pick and drafting an offensive tackle of Paris Johnson Jr.’s potential is the kind of move I could talk myself into liking if the Bears were able to pull it off. Johnson was a Consensus All-American and first-team All-Big Ten tackle in 2022. For what it’s worth, Johnson has experience at guard (in addition to tackle) so there could be positional versatility and flexibility should he not work out at whatever first position he plays at in the pros.

    To be clear, this wouldn’t be the best-case scenario for the Bears in Round 1. But it could be an acceptable one.

    Mock Draft Roundup

    A look around the internet to see which players an assortment of folks send to Chicago.

  • Derrick Bell (Complex) acknowledges that the Bears likely want to start a bidding war for the first pick. But Bell also notes the team doesn’t want to go too far down the draft board and take itself out of the running to take a blue-chip talent.
  • Matthew Freedman (Fantasy Pros) echoes those sentiments. So, for the sake of those mocks, Bell and Freedman both send Alabama ace pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. to Chicago.
  • Meanwhile, Michael Renner (Pro Football Focus) projects it would take the Colts sending the 4th, 36th, and a 2024 second-rounder to move up with the Bears to get the first overall pick. That feels a little light to me, but it is on the right track. In PFF’s first post-Super Bowl mock draft, Renner has the Bears and Colts making a deal. And with the fourth pick, Renner has the Bears taking Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. after all that dust settles. I think we’ll see Anderson’s name connected to Chicago a bunch between now and the draft.
  • Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) has a mock draft that sends Anderson (I’m seeing a trend here!) to Chicago. But it is this bit of praise for Anderson that sends me UP:
  • “Will Anderson Jr. is in the same pre-draft conversations as Chase Young and Nick Bosa when it comes to the best non-QB players in a class.”

  • Joseph Acosta (SB Nation) is getting warmer in terms of what I’d be willing to accept in a Bears trade-down. In this mock, Acosta has the Colts getting the first overall pick with the Bears landing Indy’s first two picks in this draft *AND* a 2024 first-round pick. But in this mock draft, he has Chicago getting Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter with the fourth overall pick. For what it’s worth, Anderson is off the board with the Cardinals taking him third overall.
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

    Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

    2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

    Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

    Latest News

    Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Spencer Strider will take the ball for the Atlanta Braves when they take on starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game,...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The New Orleans Pelicans face the Milwaukee Bucks at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires only one trifecta from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under...

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen gets the start, and he'll go against Colorado's Kyle Freeland.Diamondbacks vs. Rockies...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners begin their season as -155 favorites in a home tilt against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo takes the mound for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane Bieber and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, and if the Bucks' Damian Lillard drains four 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires two trifectas from Brook Lopez.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for...

    Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    more bears news