If there's one thing I'm thankful for this holiday season, it's that I am not Ryan Poles.
As of today, and thanks to the Carolina Panthers, he's staring at yet another first-overall pick in the NFL Draft in a year that features two highly touted quarterback prospects. All while his current quarterback, Justin Fields, is playing tantalizingly well.
The flaws in Fields' game are still present, even in a good overall performance like he had against the Detroit Lions in Week 14. But his flashes of brilliance are becoming more consistent, too.
So, what is Ryan Poles going to do at quarterback? It's an incredibly difficult decision that's becoming harder by the week.
And it's making 2024 NFL mock drafts more difficult to write.
But I'm a glutton for punishment, and I decided to run another three-round mock draft that focuses on the Bears sticking with Fields at quarterback. It also involves another trade, this time with the New England Patriots, who will be in the market for a new quarterback.
In this trade, the Chicago Bears move down to second overall, pick up a second-round pick in 2024, and a first-round pick in 2025. The Patriots get their quarterback of the future, and the Bears get some extra ammo in the draft.
Let's dive into the Bears' draft haul.
1.02 (via NE) Marvin Harrison Jr. - Wide Receiver, Ohio State
I don't like how often the term 'generational' gets thrown around, but for Harrison Jr., it's the only descriptor that truly captures just how special he is. Imagine if Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. was four inches taller and twenty pounds heavier. That's what you're getting from his son. He might play second fiddle to DJ Moore at first, but I don't think it'd take more than a few games to realize that DJ Moore would be the Bears' WR2.
And if a player as dynamic as DJ Moore is just your second-best wide receiver, then I think you have a valid claim to boasting one of the best receiver rooms in the NFL.
1.07 Jared Verse - EDGE, Florida State
Verse had a rough start to the 2023 season, and it looked like a mistake not to enter the draft last year. But halfway through the season, he began to return to form, and he finished with nine sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Verse is an aggressive, powerful pass rusher who is also an asset in stopping the run. He has solid technique and makes good use of his hands, though this could be cleaned up a little. He's also terrifyingly fast for a man his size (six-foot-four, 260 pounds).
If there's one knock on his game, Verse is a liability in coverage. FSU had him drop back in coverage occasionally, and he's clearly uncomfortable doing that. Fortunately, in the 4-3 defense played in Chicago, he won't be asked to do that. The rest of his issues are fixable with good coaching and mentorship, which he would find in abundance with Montez Sweat.
2.35 (via NE) Sedrick Van Pran - Center, Georgia
If Van Pran had declared for the 2023 draft, he would have been jockeying to be the top center drafted, even with the likes of John Michael Schmitz and Joe Tippmannin in last year's class. He's a cerebral player who can read the defense as well as anyone and call out adjustments. He has good size and reasonable athleticism, a must-have in the Bears' offensive scheme. Lastly, he's a mean son of a gun on the football field. He figures to be a frequent star on Jeff Saturday's Sat 'Em Down segment on ESPN's "Get Up" show.
The Bears' offensive line has been transforming over the course of this season into a borderline Top 10 unit. If they can add a stud center like Van Pran, you're talking about a fringe Top 5 unit.
3.73 Cole Bishop - Safety, Utah
I develop a draft crush on a Day 2 defensive player every year. Last year, it was actually the Bears' second-round pick, Gervon Dexter Sr. This year, it's Utah's Cole Bishop.
The Bears will likely replace aging safety Eddie Jackson this offseason, and Bishop would be an excellent candidate. Standing an impressive six-foot-two and 207 pounds, Bishop is an imposing figure in Utah's secondary and has improved every year. He's reliable in coverage and is more than a willing defender in run support. He offers upside as a blitzer, too.
The only weakness of Bishop's game is tackling, as he generally fails to wrap up and finish. He also may need to add a few pounds to his long frame. Thankfully, tackling can be taught, and spending time in an NFL workout program should do wonders for his size and physicality.
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