NFL GM Thinks Ryan Poles May Go Unexpected Route With #9 Pick

Everybody pretty much has a firm idea of what Ryan Poles will do with the #1 pick in the 2024 draft once the Chicago Bears are on the clock. It feels almost inevitable that he will take a quarterback. Caleb Williams is the heavy favorite for that honor. There is an outside chance he could take somebody else or even trade the pick again, but those odds feel long at this point. People haven't really discussed what will happen with the Bears' other 1st round pick at #9 overall. While not as important as #1, it is still a top 10 selection that could yield another potential star.

Speculation seems to center on two likely positions. The most obvious is a wide receiver. With the Bears taking a quarterback at #1, getting him another weapon to pair with D.J. Moore would make sense. Expectations are one of Malik Nabers (LSU) and Rome Odunze (Washington) could be available at that spot. Another probability would be a pass rusher—somebody the Bears can put across from Montez Sweat on the defensive line. However, there is another alternative NFL GMs think is possible. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune found that out at the Senior Bowl.

It's left tackle.

Back to the positions that could be in play here — wide receiver, offensive tackle and edge rusher — I think Poles will lean toward getting an offensive player to support the quarterback I expect the Bears to take at the top of the draft. The Bears invested heavily on defense last offseason in free agency and the draft, and this is an excellent draft for wide receivers and offensive tackles.

“Going to need to protect their quarterback,” a GM said when we chatted about possibilities at No. 9. “I’d look at linemen.”

Ryan Poles does face a dilemma.

They added Darnell Wright this past year. He already looks like he should be a capable starter for years to come. The situation on the left side is somewhat less certain. Braxton Jones has played well for considerable stretches over the past two years. Under normal circumstances, nobody would question the former 5th round pick should remain the starter. However, two issues make this difficult. One is his neck injury last season, which knocked him out for several games. It isn't clear how that may impact his long-term viability.

The other is the sheer talent of this 2024 draft class.

Experts widely believe Joe Alt of Notre Dame and Olu Fashanu of Penn State are two of the best tackle prospects to come out of college in years. Alt is compared to Pro Bowler Jake Matthews while Fashanu draws a likeness to Terron Armstead. If Ryan Poles feels the odds are high either of those players will reach their ceilings, it would be almost impossible to pass up the opportunity to draft them. Nothing is more essential to a young quarterback than his protection.