Bears could pivot to Brock Bowers in first round of 2024 NFL Draft

After selecting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, many expect the Chicago Bears to draft a wide receiver with the ninth pick. The best remaining prospect available between Marvin Harrison Jr. (unlikely), Malik Nabers (not likely), and Rome Odunze (likely) could be the Bears’ focus at No. 9. A new report from NFL insider Tony Pauline claims that Georgia tight end Brock Bowers could also be in that mix.

“Sources say if the Bears go pass catcher with the ninth pick, it will come down to Bowers or receiver Rome Odunze,” Pauline wrote. “Bowers was in Chicago for an official-30 visit with the franchise.”

Per @TonyPauline pic.twitter.com/D3LADKNC4I

— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) April 17, 2024

The Bears aren’t entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a need at tight end. General manager Ryan Poles signed Cole Kmet to a four-year extension worth $50 million last July. Poles also added Gerald Everett to pair with Kmet via a two-year, $12 million contract earlier this offseason.

MORE: Should Bears trade out of No. 9 pick if “Big 3” WRs are gone?

That necessarily hasn’t prevented Poles from scouting tight ends. The Bears held the aforementioned pre-draft 30 visit with Bowers. They also welcomed Kansas State Ben Sinnott to Halas Hall via another 30 visit. Sinnott could be among the opening three drafted tight ends, insinuating Poles is considering drafting one highly.

If you’d take exception to drafting Bowers at No. 9 but are totally content with a receiver, consider this: Bowers played 60-plus percent of his snaps at Georgia as a slot receiver or spread out wide to the boundary. Bowers may legitimately be the best remaining player available when the Bears are scheduled to make the ninth selection.

The ninth selection appears earmarked to surround Williams with even more pass-catching weapons at his disposal in addition to Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore. Pauline indicates Bowers is among the options being considered.