NEWSLETTER
Day 3 of the NFL Draft is my favorite because it feels like it is a reflection of who I am as a fan. It is often weird, fun, and a little unhinged. The third day of the draft is for the die-hards. And if you’re reading this and preparing yourself to watch the final day of draft coverage, then you are my kind of Bears fan.
Let’s dance.
2024 NFL Draft Info
Location: Detroit
Dates and rounds: April 25 (Round 1), April 26 (Rounds 2-3), April 27 (Rounds 4-7)
Round 1 start time: 7 p.m. CT
How to watch/stream: ABC, ESPN2, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, NFL.com/watch
Chicago Bears Draft Picks
Round 1: Pick No. 1 (USC quarterback Caleb Williams), No. 9 (Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze)
In case you missed it, these two guys are Chicago Bears now:
WATCH: Bears First-Round Picks Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze Become Instant Friends
Friday
Round 2: None.
The Bears made no picks during Friday’s second round. If you’ll recall, Chicago traded its 2024 second-round pick to the Washington Commanders for Montez Sweat. I think that trade worked out well for the Bears. For what it’s worth, the Washington Commanders ended up trading that pick (No. 40 … plus Nos. 78 and 152) to swap with the Philadelphia Eagles to for pick Nos. 50, 53, and 161. I’ll wait until the draft is over before asking if you’d rather have Montez Sweat or that collection of picks.
Round 3: Pick 75 (Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie)
Last year, the Bears selected South Carolina defensive tackle Zacch Pickens with their third-round selection. It made for one of my favorite NFL Draft moments. One year later, we saw Chicago use its third-round selection on a prospect who plays on the other side of the line. It sure sounds like Amegadjie is happy to stay home:
CHECK IT OUT: Bears Draft Yale OT (And Hinsdale Central Product) Kiran Amegadjie
Saturday
Round 4: Pick 122
Do you remember when the Chicago Bears traded down one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles in last year’s draft? That move netted the Bears Philly’s fourth-round pick. So … without that move, the Bears would have no fourth-rounders. Thanks for the help, Eagles. A shot of Malört is on me to the next Philly fanatic who spots me out in the wild.
THE NERDS WERE CORRECT: That Bears-Eagles Trade Graded Out Surprisingly Well in Ryan Poles’ Favor
As for their original pick, it went to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Keenan Allen trade. I’d do that deal 100 times out of 100. Pro Bowl receiver for a fourth-rounder? Sign me the heck up!
Ryan Poles has made just two fourth-round picks as Bears general manager: Running back Roschon Johnson and wide receiver Tyler Scott. The jury is still out on both, but I like what each player can bring to the table. Perhaps new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron can help these young players level up in 2024.
Round 5: None. Chicago sent its fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for offensive lineman Ryan Bates. The Bears had a thing for Bates in the past. He can start at guard or center in a pinch. That versatility figures to come in handy.
Round 6: None. Ryan Poles sent the team’s 2024 sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in a trade that sent offensive lineman Dan Feeney to Chicago. We’ll always remember Feeney for having a sweet mullet, but not much more.
Round 7: None. Chicago’s seventh-rounder belongs to the New England Patriots. Remember the N’Keal Harry trade? Oh, you don’t? Well, then consider yourself lucky! For the record, I still have no problem with this trade. All things being equal, dealing a Day 3 pick for a player with a first-round prospect pedigree is something I wouldn’t hesitate to do again.
Five Bears Needs
• Interior defensive line
• Defensive end
• Interior offensive line
• Tight end
• Cornerback (you really can’t have too many CBs in this league)
Who’s left on the board?
Here are 10 of the best available players on ESPN’s draft board who intrigue me the most on Day 3 (overall ranking at ESPN in parentheses):
