Former GM Predicts Chicago Bears Hit The Lottery At #9 Pick

The Chicago Bears likely know what they will do with the 1st overall pick next month. While they're gathering the last of their information, it's a logical conclusion that they know who they're taking. All signs point to USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Nothing has happened over the previous three months to steer away from that idea. The real mystery for Bears fans at this point is what GM Ryan Poles has planned for the 9th overall pick. There is no shortage of directions he could go, though most believe it will be one of three positions.

• Wide receiver
• Offensive tackle
• Pass rusher

It comes down to who is available when the Bears are on the clock and whether Poles wishes to trade down, hoping to secure more picks. One thing they can't predict is who they have to choose from. The draft can throw curveballs better than Greg Maddux in his prime. This might explain why former GM Mike Tannenbaum predicted the ultimate shocker in his ESPN mock draft. Not only does he have the Bears staying put at #9, but he has them landing arguably the draft's best player.

"9. Chicago Bears

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Chicago just traded for Keenan Allen and has a really solid set of playmakers, but how can you pass up Harrison at No. 9? He reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald -- he's excellent in contested catch situations, has great hands, and gets in and out of his breaks smoothly despite being 6-3 and 209 pounds. He just had his second straight season with 14 TDs and over 1,200 receiving yards (1,211). What better way to put Caleb Williams in a position to be successful than loading up his supporting cast?"

Harrison to the Chicago Bears is unlikely, but not impossible.

How did Tannenbaum arrive at this projection? It starts with having four quarterbacks going in the first four picks, which is something several insiders have hinted is possible. Then the Chargers take offensive tackle Joe Alt at #5. The big shock comes at #6 when the New York Giants bypass Harrison in favor of LSU star Malik Nabers. It sounds obscene. Then again, there have been rumblings for weeks that some in NFL circles prefer Nabers due to his explosiveness. Tennessee also takes offensive line help in JC Latham of Alabama. That leaves Atlanta at #8 as the only remaining obstacle, and they choose edge rusher Dallas Turner of Alabama instead.

That is how Harrison lands in the Chicago Bears' laps. Presuming they select Williams at #1, he'd walk into the season with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Harrison as his three targets at wide receiver. That would be insane. Still, it feels unlikely all the same. Harrison is way too talented of a player to fall that far. Somebody will either take him or trade up for him. If he does fall to the Bears by some miracle, don't expect Poles to hesitate. While he may want more picks, he can't pass up somebody like that for his team.