The Chicago Bears are expected to draft USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. General manager Ryan Poles also owns the ninth pick. What the Bears intend on doing with that selection is far more difficult to estimate.
A pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat is required. Perhaps a left tackle that could provide an upgrade is within the realm of possibility. Poles could even target another receiver to play with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen as he prepares to support Williams.
With those needs in mind, we've identified five potential targets for the Bears with the No. 9 overall selection.
MALIK NABERS, WR
This one might be a pipe dream following Malik Nabers’ outstanding testing results at LSU's Pro Day on Wednesday. After declining an opportunity to participate at the NFL Combine, Nabers ran the 40 in the mid-4.3s. The Tigers standout also had a 42-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump.
The Cardinals (No. 4), Chargers (No. 5), Giants (No. 6), and Titans (No. 7) could all consider drafting Nabers before the Bears' second scheduled selection. With quarterbacks and offensive tackles also expected to dominate the opening eight picks, stranger things have happened than Nabers sliding further than expected.
OLU FASHANU, OT
A fifth-round pick out of Southern Utah in 2022, Braxton Jones has surpassed expectations at left tackle. It wasn't the Bears' intention for Jones to be their blindside protector, but lackluster results from earlier-drafted players such as Teven Jenkins created an open competition. Kudos to Jones, who's been the player to seize that opportunity. Jones has been the Bears' primary left tackle for two consecutive seasons, delivering average to above-average results.
Poles, a former offensive lineman, drafted Darnell Wright last year to solidify right tackle. As decent as Jones has been, I wouldn't be stunned if Poles searched for more of a long-term building block, especially after poor offensive line play derailed the Justin Fields experience. Olu Fashanu could pair with Wright to give the Bears the bookends Poles desires to start the Williams era.
DALLAS TURNER, EDGE
The Bears posted a 31st-ranked 30 sacks throughout the 2023 campaign. In 2022, they ranked dead last with 20 quarterback takedowns. It's been a multi-year problem that was halfway solved by acquiring Sweat in a trade deadline deal from the Commanders. Locating an appropriate running mate to pair with Sweat would complete Poles' transformation.
Dallas Turner solidified himself as EDGE1, the best overall defender, and top-10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft by running the 40-yard dash in a blazing-fast 4.46 seconds at the NFL Combine despite weighing nearly 250 pounds. Turner, who also possesses 89th percentile length, ran a 97th-percentile 40. Having Turner and Sweat screaming off the edge would help the Bears overhaul a positional weakness.
ROME ODUNZE, WR
I foresee the Bears still considering a receiver despite rostering Moore and Allen at the position. They want to best support Williams at quarterback after failing to do the same for Fields. The aging Allen is entering a contract season and hasn't yet completed an extension with the Bears following his change of scenery. Even if Allen signs a short-term extension, there's room for a third dynamic wideout.
Rome Odunze is an X-receiver that could complement Moore and Allen, who are capable of moving around the formation. A vertical big-bodied playmaker, Odunze is downright dominant at the catch point with elite hands and body positioning. Williams would appreciate having a 50-50 winner like Odunze at his disposal.
JC LATHAM, OT
How confident are the Bears in JC Latham's ability to play left tackle? That may determine their ultimate interest in his services. Alternatively, Wright would be a candidate to play left tackle after previously doing so at Tennessee, but the Bears may be hesitant to mess with his development after he settled in beautifully at right tackle as a rookie contributor.
All of Latham's snaps at Alabama occurred at right tackle and guard. He certainly possesses the size and movement skills to play either tackle position in theory. Latham's comfort level with making adjustments to his stance and positioning is critical to the Bears considering selecting him.
