As another loss brings the Chicago Bears closer to the top of the 2024 NFL draft order, now's as good a time as any to run another 2024 NFL mock draft.
Quarterback Justin Fields played well against the Lions despite the Week 11 loss, so for this mock draft, we'll assume that the trend continues and that GM Ryan Poles decides to double down on Fields as the franchise quarterback.
The current 2024 NFL Draft order has the Bears picking first overall (thanks, Carolina!) and fourth overall. There won't be any trades in this mock draft, even though I think it's what may be what's best for the Bears by the time April rolls around.
There are still far too many unanswered questions around the league to do mock draft trades with any semblance of reality.
By committing to Fields in this mock draft ... I committed 100% ... each of the team's top three picks goes to surrounding him with the best collection of talent he's ever had.
Let's get to those picks.
1.01 Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
If the Bears end up with the first overall pick courtesy of the Carolina Panthers and they intend to keep Fields, they can do one of two things: trade the pick for a haul of draft selections and players, or draft the best wide receiver to enter the league since (at least) Julio Jones in 2011.
For this 2024 mock draft, they do the latter.
Harrison is basically a taller and bigger version of his father, who was a Hall of Fame receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He's talented enough to shatter every Chicago Bears receiving record within four years and end his career as the Bears' first wide receiver in the Hall of Fame.
Normally, I'd cringe when projecting a prospect into the Hall of Fame before he's even drafted, but that's just how good of a prospect Harrison is. There are no true negatives to his game, just minor things to nitpick so that we don't say he's perfect (even though he basically is).
If you want to build around Fields because you believe the best is yet to come, giving him a wide receiver room of DJ Moore and Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best possible way to make that happen.
But why stop there? On to the next pick.
1.04 Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
Yes, I'm passing on stud left tackle Olu Fashanu in this mock draft. I think Braxton Jones is proving that he's a franchise left tackle in his own right and will only get better.
So, I take the next best player available. Brock Bowers is a super-sized wide receiver and a yards-after-the-catch monster. He can even be used in the running game.
Bowers runs crisp routes, blocks well enough, and has tremendous hands to make tough catches. The best part about drafting Bowers is that you don't have to phase Cole Kmet out of the passing game. They're different players with complementary skill sets and could open up endless possibilities for this offense.
After these picks, Justin Fields would have the following pass catchers: DJ Moore, arguably a Top 15 WR in the league; Marvin Harrison Jr., a likely superstar; Cole Kmet, a Top 10 tight end in the league; and Brock Bowers, the most explosive tight end to enter the draft in years.
If you believe Fields truly has elite potential, then giving him his stable of pass catchers would be a great way to get him to that level.
3.68 Zach Frazier, Center, West Virginia
Without a second-round pick, it's a long wait until the Bears' next selection, but they still get a quality player.
ZachFrazier is one of the best centers in college football right now. He has freaky strength. When he locks onto his man, it's a wrap. He's not as athletic as some might like, but he's smart and won't get bowled over. Best of all? He can snap the ball cleanly.
Bears fans rejoice!
The Bears' offensive line has come a long way since 2022. Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright are developing into bookend tackles. Teven Jenkins is arguably the best guard in the league when healthy, and Nate Davis is usually dependable. Center has been the problem, though, and by adding Frazier, the Bears would have the makings of a very young yet very good offensive line.
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