NEWSLETTER
In the wake of the Justin Fields trade and week one of free agency, things are starting to take shape, so let’s fire up the PFF Draft Simulator and try to sort out the rest of the 2024 roster with a fresh Chicago Bears 7-round Mock Draft.
The Justin Fields era in Chicago is over. On Saturday, the Chicago Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick that could convert to a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51 percent of the snaps in Pittsburgh next season.
I don’t have a whole lot to say about the trade. The market is what it is, and the league told everyone how Fields was viewed outside of Chicago, even if that hurts your feelings. From the outside, Justin Fields was a solid person and teammate during his time here, but he just couldn’t figure it out as a passer.
I spent three years breaking down every one of his games, and I told you that I thought the Bears should move on. Nonetheless, I wish him luck in Pittsburgh. This is a business, and Fields wasn’t cutting it. To me, it’s as simple as that.
What a wild week it was for the Chicago Bears. Ryan Poles got the Bears on the board within minutes of the negotiating window opening on Monday afternoon with the D’Andre Swift signing. He then took a calculated approach to filling multiple positions of need with players who fit their needs at reasonable price points.
Some found the week underwhelming, but I liked it. I liked it even more when Poles sent a fourth-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Allen caught 103 passes from Justin Herbert last season and will make a darn good WR2 opposite D.J. Moore for the Bears next season. Things are starting to take shape, so let’s fire up the PFF Draft Simulator and try to sort out the rest of the 2024 roster with a fresh Chicago Bears 7-round mock draft.
But today, we’re going to do things a little differently. I put together two mock drafts for the Bears (post-free agency and post-Justin Fields). One mock is with no trades, just the four picks that the Bears own as of today. The other is with trades, where I try to get creative to get the Bears a few extra bites at the apple at the NFL Draft in April.
We’ll start with the four-pick mock draft.
Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0 (No Trades)
Round 1, Pick 1: QB Caleb Williams, USC
At this point, there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said. This is a no-brainer. If you want to know more about Williams, read my scouting report, which I compiled after hours upon hours of watching every collegiate game he’s played.
Round 1, Pick 9: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
The Bears need a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat, and with the Falcons taking Jared Verse in this mock, Dallas Turner is heading to Chicago.
Turner, a former five-star recruit, showcased his pass-rushing talent alongside Will Anderson Jr. during his first season as a starter. In the following season, he honed his skills using his natural athleticism and added weight and strength, elevating his disruptive capabilities. Despite having a limited repertoire, Turner excels in executing his chosen techniques as a stand-up rusher and displays competence when rushing with his hand in the dirt.
While he has room for improvement in tackling and run defense, Turner is a first-round caliber edge rusher with potential for high-impact pass-rushing contributions.
Round 3, Pick 75: WR Malik Washington, Virginia
Even with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen in tow, I want to see the Bears try to add to the wide receiver room in this draft, especially if they come away with Williams and Turner in the first round.
Malik Washington was insanely productive at UVA in 2023, catching 111 passes for 1,384 yards and nine touchdowns. Washington’s size comes with certain disadvantages, such as a lack of natural strength and length for jump balls and blocking assignments.
Nonetheless, he makes up for it with his precise and sudden footwork, which makes him an effective separation player from the slot. He is especially good at finding soft spots in zone coverage. Moreover, he has an excellent first step, which helps him to quickly close the gap between himself and the defensive back. He also has an above-average ability to change direction while maintaining or regaining speed.
Round 4, Pick 122: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
As a developmental project, Luke McCaffrey has plenty of ceiling and a path to becoming a solid slot wide receiver in the NFL. Last season, he caught 71 passes for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He’s a big slot target (6-2, 198 pounds) who ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the combine earlier this month. He catches with soft hands, great focus, and extreme toughness. He can accelerate to top speed quickly, rarely has a focus drop, and made some incredible one-handed catches for Rice in 2023.
Now, let’s get creative.
Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0 (Trades)
Round 1, Pick 1: QB Caleb Williams, USC
At this point, there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said. This is a no-brainer. If you want to know more about Williams, read my scouting report, which I compiled after hours upon hours of watching every collegiate game he’s played.
TRADE!
The Bears enter this draft with four selections, two of which are in the first round after the Keenan Allen trade. We’re buying them some assets with a trade back here with the Broncos, which allows them to jump ahead of the Vikings and select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. That’s a double-win for the Bears.
Bears Receive
Broncos Receive
Round 1, Pick 12: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
After an impressive free agency period, this is the only pressing need of significance for the Bears. With Dallas Turner off the board at No. 8, the Bears land my favorite pass rusher in the class here.
Latu shows a veteran-like maturity, remarkable effectiveness as a run defender, and a well-thought-out approach to pass-rushing. His field awareness extends beyond mere blockers, and he has a relentless motor. Despite concerns about a previous neck injury, his performance at UCLA offers promising indicators for his NFL prospects.
TRADE!
Adding one additional day-three pick and landing Latu in the Denver swap was an excellent scenario, but I would like a little more, so we’re dropping back from No. 75 to No. 88 with Green Bay. The Packers are also sending the Bears a fourth-rounder in this draft. So, we’ve landed Caleb Williams, an edge rusher to play opposite Montez Sweat, and two fourth-round picks thus far.
Bears Receive
Packers Receive
Round 3, Pick 88: C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
The Coleman Shelton signing was solid for Ryan Poles, and he will be the Bears starting center to open the 2024 season. Still, he’s a bridge player, and with Georgia’s Sedrick Van Prann on the board at 88, this is a solid value and a long-term solution for the position.
Van Pran has short arms but good size and strong hands, according to NFL standards. He has quick hands, sound placement, and can hold his ground against the nose. Although he may have some losses, he is a fighter who usually finds ways to get his guy blocked. He is expected to become an early NFL starter as a Day 2 selection.
Round 4, Pick 121: WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
Like Coleman Shelton, Keenan Allen is a bridge player for the Bears. In a deep wide receiver class, I was able to take Texas A&M’s Ainias Smith here in the fourth round.
Smith is a slot receiver with a unique blend of agility and strength. Although he is an effective possession slot receiver, his route-running skills could use some refinement. However, Smith’s versatility as a gadget player increases the range of play-calling options. He can leverage his quick game and West Coast route concepts to showcase his skills in space, amplifying his impact.
Round 4, Pick 122: G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
At this point in the draft, we’re working to add depth to what looks like a vastly improved roster in 2024. You can never have enough offensive linemen, especially young and versatile ones like Cooper Beebe.
Cooper Beebe is a dependable lineman with a top-75 grade on my 2024 NFL Draft board. He offers substantial value to teams looking for a mid-to-late Day 2 or Day 3 selection. Beebe’s physical attributes are adequate, although he lacks explosiveness and quickness. However, his meticulous pass sets, effective hand movements, and astute football acumen compensate for these limitations. His adaptability across different positions and ability to set the tempo makes him a valuable asset for years to come.
Round 4, Pick 126: CB Kalen King, Penn State
The Bears have three very good corners right now, but we’re building depth at premium positions now. Kalen King is an excellent lottery ticket/developmental project for the Bears at this draft spot.
In 2022, King performed better than in 2023, but evaluators may not be convinced. He struggled to defend routes and track deep passes, lacking the smoothness to anticipate them. He needs to improve his ability to position himself in both man and zone coverages. King is good at contesting 50/50 balls but requires refinement to adapt to the NFL’s nuances. But there’s enough ceiling there to take a swing and let him learn from three very good corners in that room at Halas Hall.
