2024 NFL Draft: 7-round Chicago Bears mock draft ushers in a new era on offense

With USC quarterback Caleb Williams officially declaring of the 2024 NFL Draft, the time feels right to run another Chicago Bears 2024 mock draft.

This is my first full Bears mock draft of the year. It was an interesting exercise, it didn’t feel nearly as challenging as I thought it would. I assumed I’d struggle with the first pick, but I didn’t. It was an easy choice for me, which I explain in more detail below.

It also felt natural to use five of the Bears’ six picks on offense. I’m confident the 2024 NFL Draft will be a heavy investment on that side of the ball, and with this year’s draft class having great depth at the skill positions, the Chicago Bears have a great opportunity to level up that side of the ball.

Here’s how my Bears 2024 NFL Mock Draft ended up.

1.01: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

I’m a big Justin Fields fan. I still believe he’ll be a good quarterback who can lead a team with a strong supporting cast to an above-.500 record every year. Good, not great. Competitive, but not a contender.

Caleb Williams, on the other hand, has a chance to be one of the NFL’s truly special quarterbacks. And the Bears can’t settle for good over special, even if it stings a little.

The 2023 college football season began with speculation that teams would tank for the right to draft Williams. And while he went through a late-season slump this year, his incredibly rare talent remains. He’s a franchise quarterback whose off-field concerns appear to be a bit exaggerated right now. Remember: prospects who’ve been atop the NFL draft rankings for as long as Williams has tend to get over-scouted this time of year. He’s beginning to fall victim to that pattern now.

Williams offers the Chicago Bears more upside as a pure passer than Fields and gives the team incredible salary cap flexibility by resetting the quarterback clock. Fields is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and while he hasn’t done enough to earn a long-term deal yet, his next contract (whenever it comes) will be north of $40 million per year. Williams, meanwhile, is expected to sign a rookie deal that pays him $10 million per season over the next four years.

That’s a massive savings and one that will keep the Bears’ window for a playoff and Super Bowl run wide open for a while.

All signs point toward Caleb Williams being the logical and correct decision at the first overall pick. He’s a better pure quarterback than Fields, and when combined with the team-building flexibility his contract gives the Chicago Bears, it feels like the right time to get your Williams jersey ordered.

1.09: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

For as much debate as exists with the first overall pick, there seems to be none with the Bears’ second first-rounder. It feels like a consensus opinion that Chicago will select a wide receiver at No. 9, assuming they don’t trade back. Note: If the Bears select Williams at No. 1, I fully expect them to trade back to the middle portion of the first round, take a receiver there, and add a second-round pick to their arsenal.

In this mock draft, the Bears stay put and select Rome Odunze.

Odunze had a remarkably productive season in 2023, finishing with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. He offers a great blend of size, route-running, downfield explosiveness, and an alpha my-ball mentality.

Paired with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze would have a chance to be one of the most productive rookie receivers in the league in 2024, especially if he’s catching passes from Caleb Williams.

3.75: Cooper Beebe, iOL, Kansas State

I struggled to find a prospect in this range who could compete to be the Bears’ starting center in 2024, and while Cooper Beebe is a position change projection, he profiles as a quality interior lineman who, at worst, would be a great insurance policy for the oft-injured pair of Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis.

A veteran of 48 starts, Beebe has the kind of experience and versatility NFL teams covet. Take him here and hope for the best, especially for a Chicago Bears team that can never have enough quality offensive linemen.

4.110: Brenden Rice, WR, USC

I’m a big fan of pairing a first-round quarterback with one of his pass-catchers in the same draft class. And in this Bears mock draft, Chicago lands Brenden Rice, the son of the GOAT, Jerry Rice.

Rice is an underrated prospect whose draft stock will begin to rise after the Senior Bowl.

Rice had 45 catches for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. He’s a reliable route-runner with just enough athletic ability to challenge defenders on all three levels of the passing game. And I’d never bet against his genetics.

A draft class that adds Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and Rice to the passing game is … fun.

4.128: Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan

Matt Eberflus finally gets some help on his side of the ball with Marshawn Kneeland, a quality edge defender who, like Rice, can boost his draft stock at the Senior Bowl.

Kneeland (6-3, 265) totaled just 12.5 sacks during his collegiate career, but profiles as a prospect whose best football lies ahead.

Kneeland has the traits (length and hustle) that the Bears prioritize. Circle his name. He has a good chance to end up in Chicago.

5.142: Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky

Call it a hunch, but I think the Chicago Bears will have running back pretty high on their offseason wish list.

Khalil Herbert is a very good player, but he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. I don’t foresee the Bears re-signing him at the end of 2024.

Roschon Johnson displayed upside during his rookie season, but he didn’t have that “wow” moment to suggest he could be a full-time starter in the NFL. I’m not saying he can’t be that guy, but the Bears can’t go into 2024, assuming he is that guy.

Davis (5’10, 216 pounds) offers prototype size and a history of quality production at Kentucky to warrant a mid-day-three look from running back-needy teams. He’ll have a chance to showcase his skill set at the Senior Bowl and, like Kneeland, could move up the board with a solid three days of practices.

Davis carried the ball 199 times for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023.

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