Bears' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Draft

It's been a fruitful offseason for the Chicago Bears thus far. Chicago locked up cornerback Jaylon Johnson, signed vets like running back D'Andre Swift and traded for standout wide receiver Keen Allen.

The Bears also traded away incumbent starting quarterback Justin Fields.

Moving Fields fully opens the door for Chicago to use the No. 1 overall pick (from the Carolina Panthers) on a new quarterback of the future. However, the Bears won't exit the 2024 draft with just a new quarterback.

Chicago still has some notable needs and while it only has four total selections, it does have a second first-round pick (No. 9).

Here, we'll examine the Bears' biggest remaining needs to address in the draft

Quarterback

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USC QB prospect Caleb Williams

With Fields out, the Bears are set to take a quarterback with the first overall pick. The general presumption is that USC's Caleb Williams will be the pick. The former Trojans star would indeed be a fitting choice at No. 1.

"Williams is a fascinating prospect," Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote. "The arm talent oozes off the film, and he is a special playmaker when things break down. Williams is also more put together as a processor than his playing style suggests, even if he still needs work."

Since last year, it has felt like Williams would be the top pick in 2024, but he isn't the only quarterback for Chicago to consider. North Carolina's Drake Maye is actually the top-ranked quarterback on the B/R Scouting Department's draft board, and LSU's Jayden Daniels has been trending upward through the pre-draft process.

It would be a massive surprise, however, if one of those three isn't Chicago's choice at the top of the draft. It would be equally surprising to see the Bears trade down from No. 1, unless they view two or three QB prospects equally and get a quality offer from the Washington Commanders at No. 2 or the New England Patriots at No. 3.

Chicago needs a new franchise quarterback, though, and that will be the unquestioned top priority in Round 1.

Wide Receiver

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Washington WR prospect Rome Odunze

The acquisition of Allen gives Chicago and last year's trade for D.J. Moore give Chicago a tremendous pair of receivers. However, the Bears could still use a quality third option, and it must be noted that Allen is entering the final year of his contract.

It would still behoove Chicago to dip into a talented 2024 receiver pool next month, possibly as early as the ninth selection.

The Bears probably won't have a crack at Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., who is the top overall prospect on the B/R board. However, an elite wideout like Washington's Rome Odunze or Florida State's Keon Coleman could be available at No. 9.

With Allen in the fold, the Bears won't be forced to reach for a receiver if the right one isn't available in Round 1. It's a deep WR class, and Chicago could likely come back for a receiver in Round 3.

If the Bears do pass on a receiver on opening night, prospects like Florida State's Johnny Wilson and Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley would become logical Day 2 targets.

Pass Rusher

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Florida State edge prospect Jared Verse

Chicago found its leading pass-rusher when it traded for Montez Sweat at the 2023 deadline. However, the Bears could use another high-end sack artist opposite him, and if they don't land a receiver in Round 1, an edge-rusher would be logical.

Florida State's Jared Verse is the top-rated edge on the B/R board, and he'd be a sensible choice for Chicago at No. 9.

"He can put offensive tackles on their heels with his ability to turn speed to power as a pass-rusher, and he has good use of hands paired with the bend to win around the edge using finesse moves like a cross chop or arm over," Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote of Verse.

An early run on quarterbacks and receivers could easily push Verse down to the ninth draft slot.

If Verse is off the board at No. 9, UCLA's Laiatu Latu—B/R's 11th-ranked prospect—would still provide value with the pick. Chicago could also consider trading back a bit and targeting Alabama's Dallas Turner, the 13th-ranked prospect on the B/R board.

If Chicago waits until Round 3 to grab a pass-rusher, it is unlikely to find a Week 1 starter. However, prospects like Washington's Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Houston's Nelson Ceaser would be logical developmental players to consider.