Bears' Top Prospect Targets, Trade Options with No. 1 Pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears once again enter the offseason with all of the power at the top of the NFL draft order.

A year ago, the Bears sent the top pick to the Carolina Panthers in a deal that brought D.J. Moore to Chicago.

Young's first season in Carolina did not go as planned and that led to the Bears owning the No. 1 overall selection by way of the Panthers.

General manager Ryan Poles has a difficult decision to make with the top selection in the coming months.

He could either trade it to a quarterback-hungry team and collect more draft assets, or he may opt to keep the pick and use it on Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

The latter scenario would mark the end of Justin Fields' time in Chicago. Fields' progress over the second half of the regular season should go a long way in determining if he is the quarterback of the future.

Caleb Williams

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans drops back and looks to throw a pass during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

If Chicago keeps the top pick, Williams should be the selection.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is widely regarded as the top prospect in the draft class, and he could alter the course of the franchise.

Some would argue that the Bears already have a solid quarterback in Fields and they should use the No. 1 pick to collect assets in a trade.

The argument against that thought is twofold. Williams is the better player than Fields and the Bears can maximize their spending potential with the USC product on a rookie deal for three or four years before he demands an extension.

The Bears would have to pay Fields after the 2024 season. That would require a large financial commitment given the going rate for starting quarterbacks across the NFL.

Chicago could build an entire roster around Williams and he could lead the franchise to more success than Fields if the Bears keep the top pick.

Trade with Washington

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 07: Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) in action against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) during the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders on January 7, 2024 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Bears do not have to look far down the draft order for teams who would love to have the option to choose between Williams and Maye at No. 1.

The Washington Commanders are in the market for a new head coach and that could lead to end of the short Sam Howell era.

Washington will not have a preferred quarterback option until the new coaching staff settles in, but that group of decision makers could make the push to snag the No. 1 pick from the Bears.

Carolina sent its 2023 first-and-second-round picks, 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 draft pick and Moore to Chicago to obtain the top selection last year.

Poles' experience in top pick negotiations should benefit the Bears in their attempt to get the best possible return.

The Commanders own five picks in the top 100, including a second-rounder they received from the Bears this season in the Montez Sweat trade.

Washington could be comfortable with whomever lands at No. 2, but if it favors one of the two quarterback prospects, it may be forced to make a move to kickstart its latest franchise reboot.

Deal with Atlanta or Tennessee

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 24: Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank during an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts on December 24, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta,GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It's easy to point out that the Bears have potential trade partners sitting at No. 2 and No. 3.

The trade discussions could get more interesting with the Atlanta Falcons or Tennessee Titans because of their current situations.

Atlanta sits at No. 8 in the draft order and it could use a new quarterback to operate alongside Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

Desmond Ridder is clearly not the answer for the franchise, and that will force the Falcons' hand once they confirm a new coaching staff.

Atlanta must be aggressive in acquiring a quarterback because the NFC South is there for the taking with a competent player under center.

Tennessee is about to go through a harder reboot, and although Will Levis is on the roster, it may look to make a bold move with a new head coach.

The Titans could be comfortable at No. 7, but if they want a new and exciting quarterback to lead a revamped offense, they could be an interesting trade partner for the Bears.

If they stay where they are, Atlanta and Tennessee run the risk of missing out on Williams, Maye and Jayden Daniels.

Daniels could become a hot commodity on draft night the second Williams and Maye are chosen, which could lead to a team trading up into the top five for the 2023 Heisman winner.

Atlanta is the more intriguing trade partner to the Bears because it has four picks in the top 76, while Tennessee only has two picks in the first three rounds.