NEWSLETTER
Who’s ready for another round of NFL Draft watching as a Bears fan?
OK, well, how about two rounds?
We’ve got Rounds 2 and 3 coming up. Let’s get it popping, friends!
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 Nos. 1 and 9
In case you missed it, these two guys are Chicago Bears now:
The behind-the-scenes moments leading up to Bears General Manager Ryan Poles calling Caleb Williams to tell him he is the pick are pretty awesome. And if you haven’t seen any Rome Odunze highlights today, then you should change that by checking out this post.
Friday
Round 2: None. Chicago traded its 2024 second-round pick to the Washington Commanders for Montez Sweat. I think that trade worked out well for the Bears. No regrets, right? For what it’s worth, Tankathon’s last mock draft before things opened up on Thursday had Washington selecting BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia with the pick. Meanwhile, the next edge defender wasn’t slated to go off the board until pick No. 53 when the forecast calls for the Philadelphia Eagles to select Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland.
All things considered, trading the second-round pick for Sweat is a net win for the Bears.
Round 3: Pick 75
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. I still like the pick and believe a full offseason of NFL training and getting work in with new Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington will help take Pickens’ game to another level as a second-year player.
MORE: Zacch Pickens Has So Much Untapped Potential
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. The Bears gave their 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.
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 the 10 best available players on NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah’s board who happen to play positions I think the Bears could address on Night 2:
Bears buzz
I think this list of names from The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain is informative:
