I utilize mock drafts to research possible picks for the Chicago Bears and to rehearse scenarios that they might consider on draft day. That was my intention with this one because the Bears might trade back at some point, given that they only have four selections going into the 2024 draft.
Nothing is going to happen there as the first pick is already secured, but the idea behind this fake was to trade back from nine at any costs.
Therefore, even if Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze—who I hope is the actual selection on draft night—is available at number nine, I’m moving back in the first round and searching for a different day-two pick.
I used the NFL fake Draft Database simulator for this fake, and while I could have tweaked the settings to get a better haul, I wanted to maintain a realistic mock.
1) Quarterback Caleb Williams of USC Williams is already wearing the orange and navy, in my opinion. There is nothing stopping the Bears from selecting Caleb if a situation arises during his visit with the top 30 players.
Consequently, I arrive at my trade.
In exchange for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round selection (17th overall), their second-round selection (48), and their fifth-round pick (2025), I offered them my ninth overall pick. In addition, Odunze was a board member.
17) EDGE | Florida State – Jared Verse Verse (6’4″, 254) appears to be the Bears’ best defensive end on the board. He can convert his speed into power and is a relelntless pass rusher with active hands. Verse is also most likely the strongest against the run out of the probable first round edges.
48) Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall of Florida I had the option to pick any one of the receivers on the board, but Pearsall is a player we haven’t spoken about too much here.
75) Georgia – C | Sedrick Van Pran – Although the Bears added a few seasoned centers throughout the offseason, Van Pran, who has more experience, may end up starting at center for the team in the future.
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, a safety at Texas Tech, is the apparent successor to Kevn Byard, who was signed to a two-year contract to play safety alongside him. Taylor-Demerson possesses the all-around skill set to succeed Brisker.
