One year after trading out of the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears find themselves back on the clock at No. 1, this time with more roster clarity. The Panthers, who acquired that pick from the Bears, would go on to select Bryce Young over CJ Stroud and surround him with, quite frankly, a bad supporting cast. As a result, Carolina ended up with the worst record in the league, handing the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Bears. The Bears will be drafting Caleb Williams in hopes that he can finally be the answer at the quarterback spot. After that, there are plenty of Bears draft targets for their next pick, at ninth overall.
Chicago could bolster up the offensive line to protect Caleb Williams or add another weapon for him to go into the future with. They could choose to add another young piece to the improving defense, aiming to build upon the momentum gained in the second half of the year on that side of the ball. They could even trade up or down, targeting one of the elite offensive prospects or continuing to accumulate future assets.
For the purpose of this article, we’ll assume that the Bears stay at No. 9. We’ll look at three potential draft targets and break down why they could make sense for the Bears to take. Here are three Bears draft targets at No. 9.
Chicago Bears Draft Targets at No. 9
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
This is a scenario where many teams might look to reach for a rookie wide receiver to pair with their rookie quarterback, hoping to establish a special tandem for the next decade. However, if Rome Odunze was available at nine for the Bears, it would be far from a reach. In fact, it’s very plausible that he’d be the top available prospect on many teams’ boards. Odunze looks the part of an NFL WR1 every time he steps on the field with his 6-3, 212-pound frame. He is a physical presence that can win contested catches thanks to his body control and wide wingspan. Coupled with that, Odunze is an above-average route runner with fluidity and the ability to create space.
Along with projecting to be a very effective NFL receiver, Odunze also fits the timeline and fills a need for the Bears. After acquiring Keenan Allen, Chicago has a strong 1-2 punch at receiver but is really lacking after that. Odunze would not only make an immediate impact next to those two, but would also provide some much-needed young talent in the receiver room. There’s an argument to be made that those three receivers, along with Cole Kmet, would be overkill considering Caleb Williams isn’t a surefire star, but Odunze is talented enough to make the pick worthwhile regardless.
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Following the trade deadline acquisition of Montez Sweat, the Bears’ defense statistically ranked as one of the better units in the league. However, they matched up with a plethora of below-average quarterbacks during that stretch and struggled to come up with stops in pivotal moments. Needless to say, there are still positions on that side of the ball that could greatly benefit from an upgrade. Outside of Sweat and soon-to-be second-year tackle Gervon Dexter, the Bears’ defensive line has a couple of those spots that could really use a boost in talent. They struggled to get consistent pressure, especially on third downs, and could be looking to add a potential star on the edge in Jared Verse.
Despite not having the ideal length and mass of an edge rusher, Verse is thought of as one of the safer defensive prospects in this draft thanks to his motor and athletic tools. He has an explosive first step that puts instant pressure on opposing linemen throughout the game. Coupled with that, Verse has a variety of pass-rush techniques that’ll keep his matchup guessing.
Unlike the past few years, the 2024 NFL Draft doesn’t feature any defensive player who is widely regarded as a top-tier prospect. In fact, if the Bears do go defense at nine, it could very well be the first defensive player off the board. Other options include fellow edge rushers Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu, but I believe Verse is the most likely defensive player to go at nine thanks to his athletic tools and technique.
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Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Even if a guy like Odunze is available at nine, the Bears’ draft target may focus on an offensive lineman to protect Williams in this spot. Regardless of who they add at receiver, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen are more than a number-one pick can ask for in his rookie year. The Bears’ offensive line was about average last year, but can certainly use some help in pass protection. Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu has the talent to turn into one of the better blindside protectors in the league.
Fashanu and Williams would be a rookie duo that could fit well together as there are some similarities as prospects. Both have immense talent that gives them the capability to do everything that their position requires but can benefit from experience and coaching. Fashanu is a very good athlete for an offensive tackle with great food speed. This could very well be a spot where the Bears bet on Fashanu’s ceiling and their ability to develop him into an elite offensive tackle.
