The Chicago Bears haven't even started real preparations yet for the 2023 season. Yet that hasn't stopped excitement from already building for the 2024 draft. GM Ryan Poles is to thank for this, having secured an additional 1st round pick from the Carolina Panthers. That means will have two at their disposal. It will be the first time this has happened since 2003. One has to think the Bears can do better than Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman, right? Well, it will be hard to do worse. That much is obvious.
The interesting question is which positions Poles will prioritize. It's way too early to determine actual players, but positions is easier to pinpoint. Jordan Reid of ESPN decided to take a crack at this. The draft expert unloaded an early 2024 mock draft. In it, he has Chicago landing the 10th and 11th picks in the 1st round. Neither is spent on a quarterback, which is at least a positive sign they're happy with Justin Fields' progress. Instead, they shift their focus to two other "premium" positions.
"10. Chicago Bears (via CAR)
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Even after rookie safety Jaquan Brisker led the team in sacks (four) and the team produced a league-low in sacks (20) in 2022, the Bears have made little improvement to their pass rush. Turner is raw and hasn't quite figured out how to consistently string pass-rush moves together, but at 6-4, 240 pounds, he has impressive physical traits and upside.
11. Chicago Bears
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Another first-round receiver from Ohio State? Harrison receives most of the attention, but Egbuka looked great during his first season as a starter in 2022 (74 catches, 1,151 yards, 10 scores). He is a crafty and detailed route runner with a great feel for attacking creases against zone looks and the body control and instincts to create separation against man coverage."
This lines up with where the Chicago Bears are at.
Edge rusher is their biggest need from every conceivable angle. Anybody with half a brain can see it. If it's not Dallas Turner, it will probably be somebody else. This defense needs at least one defensive end that can get to the quarterback with some regularity. Turner is 240 lbs, though. He might be somewhat undersized for what the Bears typically prefer. So that might not be the name to watch. Where it gets interesting is seeing wide receiver as the other position getting addressed.
At first glance, that might seem counterproductive, given what the Chicago Bears have pieced together this year. However, don't forget both Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool will be free agents in 2024. There is a good chance one of them won't be returning after this year. Unless the Bears are confident Velus Jones or Tyler Scott will be ready to step into that void, drafting somebody in the 1st round makes sense. Ohio State has an excellent track record of producing quality pros. Egbuka could easily be another.
