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Bears Mock Draft 5.0 for BearDigest
A simulation of the 2024 Bears draft, looking closely at what would happen to fill their greatest need if they took a receiver ninth overall.
The first mock draft of April, BearDigest mock draft 5.0, is educational.
It's a lesson. This teaching moment is for all of the pass-happy people who urge the Bears to get one of the top three wide receivers in the draft at No. 9 and then focus on a more urgent need on the edge or defensive line later in the draft.
Remember the combine when Bears coach Matt Eberflus was asked about their greatest need, quarterback situation. He was thinking then immediately about helping edge rusher Montez Sweat on the other side of the line.
"Certainly pass rusher is one of them," Eberflus said. "We got to make sure that we have somebody opposite of Sweat.
Mock Draft 5.0 Video
"We can never have enough of those guys because they affect the game the most."
This should be remembered because the need for an edge rusher is greater than the need for a third receiver. Long term, a good argument can be made for the receiver because of Keenan Allen's age and contract status.
For this year, though, the most immediately effective edge rusher would seem to be the most logical pick.
This is an educational experience, so let's remember that as we proceed. Here's what can happen with this draft if the Bears look receiver at No. 9.
The Bears are on the clock in Mock Draft 5.0 for BearDigest.
Round 1, No. 1
QB Caleb Williams, USC
Much of what he does won't translate to the NFL, it's said. After watching all but one of his games from last year, it's apparent he doesn't need a translator. It's translating. He's crafty, quick-footed, and as SI.com's Albert Breer found while talking to his personal quarterbacks coach, Williams has a cannon which can range from low to high faster and with better ease than any other QB.
The age of Bears passing has begun.
Round 1, No. 9
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
The mock drafts showing Malik Nabers falling to the Bears are completely off. The best the Bears will be able to come up with at No. 9 for helping Willliams with a receiver is Odunze, who visited Halas Hall last week. At 6-2 7/8, 212 pounds, he's ideal size for a receiver who can go up after the ball. Ran 4.45 in the 40, so he has the speed, and had an excellent 1.52-second split for 10 yards. Besides being tall, his 39-inch vertical leap makes him all the more impressive of a target.
The problem here is that by not trading back in Round 1 and then taking a pass rusher or possibly Brian Thomas Jr., the receiver from LSU who ran 4.33 seconds at the combine 40, they will be forced to accept a much lower option at edge rusher. And this is their biggest need. Last year three of the top five rookies in terms of sacks were chosen in Round 3. The Bears have to hope lightning strikes twice in the same place after taking Odunze, but there are enough wide receivers to last until Round 3 and not enough edge rushers.
Round 3, No. 75
DT/DE Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
By far the best remaining defensive lineman at this point of the draft. In fact, it wasn't close, edge rusher or defensive tackle. He can play both, as a 3-technique or move outside much like they could do with DeMarcus Walker but really didn't attempt much last year. Dorlus is probably better inside even though he's undersized at 283 pounds. He's still a bit heavier than Aaron Donald was and at 6-foot-3, with an 80 7/8-inch wingspan. He's plenty tall enough to handle either inside or outside. His 4.85-second 40 was top 7% for defensive tackles ever. He had 12 sacks, 27 tackles for loss and has a real knack for maneuvering himself or contorting his body to be in position to knock down passes. He had nine deflections last year and 14 for his career. That's more pass breakups last year than a lot of good cornerbacks had.
There were no adequate trade backs here unless the Bears wanted to take a fourth-round and fifth-rounder for No. 75, and that would have made finding an edge rusher even more difficult here.
Round 4, No. 122
TE Ben Sinnot, Kansas State
Another pick where a trade was attempted and essentially it was either accept a fifth- and sixth-rounder or keep your fourth-round pick OR accept a worse fifth- and sixth-round pick or keep your fourth-round pick. There were a few defensive tackles available and only undersized Mohamad Kamara from Colorado State. on the edge. The Bears would not draft a 6-1 1/2 edge like Kamara at this point. The next-best option was a tight end who is nearly 6-4, 250 but ran top 30% for the 40 (4.68) among tight ends and had a fantastic 40-inch vertical, top 3% for tight ends ever at the combine. Sinnott's three-cone drill ranked in the top 4% for speed (6.82 seconds). He would be more of the move tight end type and had 82 receptions for 1,138 yards, a 13.9-yard average, which is outstanding for a wide receiver, let alone a tight end. This is because he has great yards after the catch as a dangerous ball carrier.
So that's it. When the Bears don't take the defensive player at No. 9, finding someone adequate on the edge across from Montez Sweat will be a difficult task, especially without trading back.
We'll try to address all of this in a later Mock draft 5.1, with either a defensive player or trade down in Round 1.
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