2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Trade Justin Fields in New 3-Round Projections
The Chicago Bears have a quite the conundrum on their hands.
Do they spend the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on a new franchise quarterback, or use it to keep building around the one they already have in Justin Fields?
There are multiple replacements to choose from who would be worthy candidates, as USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye, and LSU's Jayden Daniels could all make strong cases for the top spot. If the Bears go that route, they could then trade Fields to another QB-needy team for additional assets, while resetting at quarterback on a new rookie contract instead of having to re-sign Fields to a long-term extension next offseason.
If they opted to keep Fields, they could use the pick on another top prospect to help him (Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.), or trade down from No. 1 for the second year in a row, likely getting a bigger haul this time around than they did last year.
As we consider that dilemma at the top of the board, here's an updated look at how the first three rounds of this year's draft could turn out, using the latest updated pick order following the divisional playoff round:
*projected trade
1. Chicago Bears (from CAR)
Caleb Williams | QB | USC
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
At this point, it feels like the most likely scenario is the Bears taking Williams here, and finding a trade partner for Fields. Williams gives them a high-upside franchise quarterback with a freshly reset rookie contract, and in our scenario, they send Fields to the Falcons in return for a second-round pick in this year's draft, and a conditional second-rounder in 2025.
2. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye | QB | North Carolina
Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Howell had some flashes of brilliance, but that won't stop Washington from spending this pick on his replacement, especially with a new coaching staff. In any other draft, Maye would be the easy No. 1 overall pick, making him a steal for the Commanders here.
3. New England Patriots
Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
The dilemma for the Pats is this: Are they better off taking the third-best quarterback in the draft, or the best overall player? While Marvin Harrison Jr. would also fill another massive need, nothing matters if you don't have a quarterback, and Daniels has all the traits to be a true dual-threat superstar.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
This is the perfect scenario for the Cardinals, who fill their biggest need, and land the best player in the entire draft. Harrison has all the talent to join his dad in Canton someday, and he's exactly what Arizona needs as a true No. 1 receiver to help Kyler Murray live up to his contract.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Malik Nabers | WR | LSU
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are two of the best receivers in the game, but they're also carrying two of the highest cap numbers in the league at their position. They're also aging, and have struggled with injuries. Nabers would easily be WR1 in most draft classes, and his explosive, big-play ability would let the Chargers save some money by getting younger at receiver.
6. New York Giants
Rome Odunze | WR | Washington
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
It's too early to reach for the next-best quarterback, and while offensive tackle is a strong possibility, the Giants desperately need a complete receiver who can be Daniel Jones' No. 1 target. Odunze is a well-rounded playmaker who would be the perfect fit for what the Giants' passing game is missing.
7. Tennessee Titans
Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame
USA TODAY Sports
Outside of 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski, the Titans need upgrades at every other spot along the offensive line, and finding a franchise left tackle should be the top priority. The son of a Pro Bowl tackle, Alt might be the most polished and pro-ready prospect in the entire draft.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
After acquiring Justin Fields in our mock trade scenario, the Falcons are able to address their other needs, starting with the defense. They desperately need an impact edge rusher, and Turner has the explosiveness and athleticism to be the perfect fit after enjoying a breakout 2023 campaign.
9. Chicago Bears
Laiatu Latu | EDGE | UCLA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears have some attractive options on offense here (Brock Bowers, Olu Fashanu), but it wouldn't be shocking if they opted for a dynamic edge defender to pair with trade-deadline score Montez Sweat. Latu's medical evaluations will be key to his draft stock, but when healthy, he's proved he can be dominant.
10. New York Jets
Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
What a massive win this would be for the Jets, who desperately need help at offensive tackle if they want to avoid another serious injury to Aaron Rodgers. Fashanu is a top-five talent in this class, and could have been a top-10 pick last year, but will be even more pro-ready after another year of starting experience against top competition.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Verse | EDGE | Florida State
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Free agency could leave the Vikings without a difference-maker in the defensive trenches, so finding that type of presence should be their prime objective with this pick. Verse was the most dominant player on one of the nation's top defenses over the past two seasons, and would make an instant impact.
12. Denver Broncos
Brock Bowers | TE | Georgia
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Denver has way bigger needs elsewhere on both sides of the ball, but sometimes, the board falls in a way that forces you to simply go the "best player available" route. It's too early to reach for the next quarterback, and while corner is a possibility, landing a dynamic playmaker like Bowers outside the top 10 would be a bargain.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Terrion Arnold | CB | Alabama
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Another team that would be forced to punt on the remaining quarterback prospects until Day 2, the Raiders have plenty of needs elsewhere to focus on here. If the board looks like this, the best match of need and value comes at corner, where they land the most complete prospect in this year's class with Arnold.
14. New Orleans Saints
JC Latham | OT | Alabama
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr's first season in New Orleans was disappointing, but that had as much to do with a struggling offensive line as it did his own play. This year's deep offensive line class should give them plenty of quality options here, and Latham's combination of size, athleticism and versatility could give them an immediate upgrade at guard or tackle.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson
Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK
Indy's secondary needs help at both levels, but they can wait for better value at safety on Day 2. Here, they land a playmaking corner with an impressive combination of height, length and instincts with Wiggins, who has the ball skills to make big plays whenever the ball gets near him.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
It's never the most exciting thing to spend a first-round pick on an interior offensive lineman, but it's easily the Seahawks' biggest need. Fautanu was dominant at left tackle for the Huskies, but he could be even better at the next level if he slides inside, where Seattle needs an instant-impact player.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB | Alabama
USA TODAY Sports
The Jags have one outside corner spot settled with Tyson Campbell, but they could use a long-term upgrade on the other side. McKinstry may not have lived up to the top-10 hype in 2023, but he's still got the physical traits and upside to quickly develop into that kind of shutdown player at the next level.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Taliese Fuaga | OT | Oregon State
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Wide receiver might take precedence here if Tee Higgins isn't back, but the Bengals need an upgrade over Jonah Williams at right tackle, regardless of the receiver situation. Fuaga was as dominant as any offensive tackle in college football last year, and would be the perfect fit for what Cincy needs.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Cooper DeJean | DB | Iowa
George Walker IV/USA TODAY NETWORK-USA TODAY NETWORK
Another secondary that needs help at both safety and corner, the Rams are able to kill two birds with one stone here. One of the most versatile and athletic prospects in this entire draft, DeJean lined up all over the field for the Hawkeyes, and would bring the same kind of abililty to the next level.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Amarius Mims | OT | Georgia
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
After going three decades without spending a first-round pick on an offensive tackle, the Steelers could make it back-to-back years to shore up both sides for the foreseeable future. Mims missed part of the 2023 season with an ankle injury, but was dominant when fully healthy, and would reunite with UGA teammate Broderick Jones.
21. Miami Dolphins
Graham Barton | OL | Duke
Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Miami has dynamic playmakers on offense, but they need to maintain their stability in the trenches, which means upgrades are in order. Replacing Terron Armstead at left tackle is a possibility, but the more immediate need is at guard. Barton can play any position along the offensive line, but projects best inside.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Philly's veteran corners aren't getting any younger, and it's time for the Eagles to plan for the future by spending a top pick on a high-upside player at the position. Mitchell may not be a household name just yet, but he put up big numbers for the Rockets, and has all the physical and mental tools to crush the pre-draft process.
23. Houston Texans (from CLE)
Byron Murphy II | DL | Texas
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
DeMeco Ryans' defense showed plenty of promise in his first year, but it's still missing a few key pieces that could take it to another level. The biggest one is for an explosive, disruptive presence along the interior of the defensive front, and though he's undersized, Murphy's skill set would be the perfect fit.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Jordan Morgan | OL | Arizona
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Depending on how the rest of the offseason goes, the Cowboys could need reinforcements at both tackle and guard. Morgan has the size and skills to be a plug-and-play starter at either spot, and his physical presence would be a huge boost to offense that needs to find their identity.
25. Green Bay Packers
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. | CB | Missouri
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay's defensive backfield needs help at both corner and safety, and in this scenario, they opt for the more premium position with sights set on a back-end defender on Day 2. Rakestraw is one of the fastest-rising prospects in this class, with impressive film that should have him in the first-round conversation.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chop Robinson | EDGE | Penn State
Dan Rainville-USA TODAY NETWORK
Veteran Shaq Barrett hasn't been the same player since he tore his Achilles, and the Bucs could move on from him this offseason for salary cap reasons. They'll need another explosive edge rusher to pair with rookie stud YaYa Diaby, and Robinson might have the best get-off of any edge defender in this class.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)
Jer'Zhan Newton | DL | Illinois
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Corner is the bigger need, but if the board falls this way, the Cards would be wise to wait until Day 2 to address that spot, and instead take advantage of the value with an interior defender like Newton. Undersized but explosive, Newton has big-play potential that Arizona simply hasn't had in the defensive trenches lately.
28. Buffalo Bills
Brian Thomas Jr. | WR | LSU
Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Stefon Diggs is still one of the best route-runners in the NFL, but Josh Allen needs another target with size and big-play ability who can force opposing defenses to turn their attention elsewhere. Thomas has a rare blend of size and speed that would make him the ideal fit for a team that's desperately trying to keep their Super Bowl window open.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Rashee Rice is finishing his rookie season strong, having emerged as Patrick Mahomes' top target outside of Travis Kelce. That said, more help is needed at receiver, and this year's loaded class should give the Chiefs plenty of options here. Legette's rare combination of size and speed would make him especially dangerous in this offense.
30. Detroit Lions
Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington
Joe Nicholson - USA TODAY Sports
Aidan Hutchinson is already one of the NFL's most dominant edge defenders, but the Lions don't have a similar presence on the other side who can take full advantage of 1-on-1 opportunities. Trice flashed game-wrecking potential in the College Football Playoff, and would would opposing offenses to respect both sides of Detroit's defensive front.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Few needs across the entire league are more painfully obvious than the one the 49ers have at right tackle. Guyton's experience at that spot would make him the ideal pick here, and his combination of size, power and athleticism would make him a fantastic fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
32. Baltimore Ravens
T'Vondre Sweat | DL | Texas
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens know that winning rosters are built in the trenches first, so reloading the talent there on both sides of the ball should be their priority here. Michael Pierce is under contract through 2025, but he'll turn 32 next season, so taking a massive mauler like Sweat as his early understudy would allow for a seamless transition.
SECOND ROUND
Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
33. Carolina Panthers
Keon Coleman | WR | Florida State
34. New England Patriots
35. Arizona Cardinals
36. Washington Commanders
Chris Braswell | EDGE | Alabama
37. Los Angeles Chargers
Kamari Lassiter | CB | Georgia
38. Tennessee Titans
39. New York Giants
40. Washington Commanders (from CHI)
41. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)
Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami (FL)
42. Minnesota Vikings
43. Chicago Bears (from ATL)*
Jackson Powers-Johnson | OL | Oregon
44. Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Washington
45. New Orleans Saints (from DEN)
46. Indianapolis Colts
47. New York Giants (from SEA)
Leonard Taylor III | DL | Miami (FL)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
Cooper Beebe | OL | Kansas State
49. Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Lynn Polk | WR | Washington
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | LB | Clemson
51. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger | OL | Georgia
52. Los Angeles Rams
Edgerrin Cooper | LB | Texas A&M
53. Philadelphia Eagles
Malachi Corley | WR | Western Kentucky
54. Cleveland Browns
55. Miami Dolphins
Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | Texas
56. Dallas Cowboys
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
58. Green Bay Packers
59. Houston Texans
Devontez Walker | WR | North Carolina
60. Buffalo Bills
61. Kansas City Chiefs
62. Detroit Lions
63. San Francisco 49ers
64. Baltimore Ravens
Dominick Puni | OL | Kansas
THIRD ROUND
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun-USA TODAY NETWORK
65. Carolina Panthers
66. Arizona Cardinals
Trey Benson | RB | Florida State
67. Washington Commanders
68. New England Patriots
69. Los Angeles Chargers
Theo Johnson | TE | Penn State
70. New York Giants
Caelen Carson | CB | Wake Forest
71. Arizona Cardinals (from TEN)
72. New York Jets
73. Detroit Lions (from MIN)
Johnny Wilson | WR | Florida State
74. Atlanta Falcons
75. Chicago Bears
Jermaine Burton | WR | Alabama
76. Denver Broncos
77. Las Vegas Raiders
78. Seattle Seahawks
Cedric Gray | LB | North Carolina
79. Atlanta Falcons (from JAX)
80. Cincinnati Bengals
81. Seattle Seahawks (from NO)
Michael Hall Jr. | DL | Ohio State
82. Indianapolis Colts
Jaden Hicks | S | Washington State
83. Los Angeles Rams
Spencer Rattler | QB | South Carolina
84. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kris Abrams-Draine | CB | Missouri
85. Cleveland Browns
Jalen McMillan | WR | Washington
86. Houston Texans (from PHI)
Mike Sainristil | CB | Michigan
87. Dallas Cowboys
Max Melton | CB | Rutgers
88. Green Bay Packers
Christian Haynes | OL | Connecticut
89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zach Frazier | OL | West Virginia
90. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)
Christian Mahogany | Boston College
91. Green Bay Packers (from BUF)
Braelon Allen | RB | Wisconsin
92. Kansas City Chiefs
McKinnley Jackson | DL | Texas A&M
93. Detroit Lions
94. San Francisco 49ers
Adisa Isaac | EDGE | Penn State
95. Baltimore Ravens
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. | CB | Louisville
*96. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ricky Pearsall Jr. | WR | Florida
*97. Philadelphia Eagles
*98. San Francisco 49ers
Ainias Smith | WR | Texas A&M
*99. Buffalo Bills
*100. Washington Commanders (from SF)
Kamal Hadden | CB | Tennessee
*=projected compensatory selection
