Is it too early to look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft? Of course. The 2023 schedule hasn’t even been released yet. We’re still months away from training camp. The regular season feels like it’s an eternity away. Mock drafts right now are silly, right? Wrong!
It’s NEVER too early to dive into a wholesome NFL mock draft, especially when it’s published by Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling, who, for my money, is one of the best NFL draft analysts in the industry.
And with the Chicago Bears owning two first-round picks next April? Yeah, draft season will be a blast.
As for Easterling’s mock draft, he has the Bears picking 13th (their selection) and 14th (Carolina’s) based on the latest 2024 Super Bowl odds.
The result? Chicago lands an Ohio State wide receiver and a flashy edge rusher.
Unfortunately, the Buckeyes pass-catcher isn’t Marvin Harrison Jr. Instead, it’s Emeka Egbuka.
“There’s no such thing as too many weapons for Justin Fields, and he gets another one from his alma mater here,” Easterling wrote. “Egbuka would be the clear-cut No. 1 receiver on any team that didn’t already have Marvin Harrison Jr., and he’s got tons of potential at the next level.”
Washington edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui is the next pick at No. 14.
“The Bears didn’t address their need for a blue-chip edge rusher early in this year’s draft, so that should be a primary target with one of their multiple first-rounders next time around. Tupuola-Fetui has all the traits to be a disruptive force for a newly rebuilt defensive front.”
