Chicago Bears Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- Soldier Field
- Head Coach
- Matt Eberflus
- Offensive Coordinator
- Shane Waldron
- Defensive Coordinator
- Eric Washington
- Special Teams Coach
- Richard Hightower
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The Chicago Bears selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Thats back-to-back picks out of Washington after quarterback Michael Penix Jr. surprisingly went eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons. Odunze led the country in receiving yards in 2023 and is a special talent. He has length and excels at contested catches down the field. It helped that he had an excellent passer to throw him the football in Penix, but this kid is still special and should have an excellent career. The Bears have now added QB Caleb Williams and Odunze with their first two picks this year. While Odunze has plenty to like in the long-term, he'll be hard-pressed to make a huge impact in his rookie season in 2024 with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen set to be target hogs in this Bears offense.
The Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, as expected, in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Last year's draft trade with the Carolina Panthers allowed Chicago to move to the No. 1 spot this year. Williams was the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Bears for the entire pre-draft process, and it became more apparent when they dealt Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers a month ago. Not only is the 22-year-old the safest QB prospect in this year's class, but he's entering a situation in Chicago that should be conducive to immediate success in real life and in fantasy. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be the clear top pick in rookie-only fantasy drafts this fall and should be in play in two-QB leagues in 2024 as well.
The Chicago Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but they are willing to trade down from the No. 9 overall selection, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Chicago only has four total picks in this year's draft, so moving down to acquire more selections makes plenty of sense. The team has been linked to Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner, and UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu if they stay put, but the options become plentiful if they decide to move down the board. QB-needy teams like the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders could be potential trade partners. Quarterbacks Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and J.J. McCarthy could still be available at that spot.
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the NFL scouting combine in February at 4.21 seconds, is visiting with the Chicago Bears on Monday. The Bears have already traded for Keenan Allen this offseason to pair with DJ Moore in 2024, but they continue to look for additional offensive weapons for USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who they are expected to take first overall in this year's NFL draft. Allen only has one year remaining on his current deal, so it would make sense for the Bears to add a receiver in the draft to pair with Williams if they are unsure if they can sign Allen to a contract extension. The 20-year-old Worthy is obviously a burner and will create problems for opposing defenses with his speed, but his small frame of 165 pounds makes him a big injury risk at the next level.
The Chicago Bears could upgrade at edge rusher in this year's NFL draft by taking either UCLA's Laiatu Latu or Florida State's Jared Verse with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round, but The Athletic's Bruce Feldman thinks they'll go with LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers to give more firepower to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who they are expected to take first overall. Nabers thoroughly impressed at his pro day workout and dominated for the Tigers in 2023, catching 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. "He can separate like nobody else. He has super speed and explosiveness. He's got this big lower half and is so scary in the open field. He is elite with the ball in his hands," one coach said. Having wideouts DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Nabers would give Williams some serious weapons in his rookie year.