Bears Draft Scenarios — Part 2 —Draft a New Quarterback
Photo Credit: Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports
We are back with another draft scenario for the Chicago Bears. Previously, I discussed options with our two draft picks if we decided to keep quarterback Justin Fields. In that scenario, I outlined that we pick wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr at No. 1 or No. 2 overall, depending on who has the No. 2 pick.
Then, I outlined four options for our second pick. Those options were Louisiana State WR Malik Nabers, California —Los Angeles defensive end Laitau Latu, Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, and Miami safety Kamren Kinchens.
Now, in this scenario, the Bears would trade Fields for an unknown amount of draft capital. We still in this scenario have the number one overall pick and our second pick. As of this moment, our second pick is projected to be fifth overall.
First Overall Pick — QB Drake Maye
I know Southern California QB Caleb Williams is likely going to be the best QB in this draft class. However, his father’s previous comments about Caleb likely going back to USC if the team slated to pick him is so bad makes us picking him unlikely. Then you have his comments about Williams wanting equity in whatever team drafts him. That scenario will likely not happen.
North Carolina Tar Heels QB Drake Maye is the likely QB we could take depending on Williams’ decision. Maye currently has 3608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Somewhat of a down year compared to his previous season in which he had 4321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
I know some Bears fans don’t want a North Carolina QB after what happened with QB Mitch Trubisky. However, there are stark differences. Both men played for the Tar Heels for at least three years. Trubisky redshirted his freshman season. He did not get a start until his final season. In 2014, Trubisky had 459 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions in 10 games with no starts. In 2015, Trubisky played in nine games with no starts. In said games, he had 555 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Finally, in 2016, Trubisky was named the starting QB. He racked up 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. Trubisky had only one year as a starting QB and Maye has had two.
In this scenario, you cannot afford to be picky with your QB selection. If Caleb goes back to USC, you have to pick Maye. You can’t trade back again to go after QB JJ McCarthy or QB Jayden Daniels.
Second Selection — A mixed Bag
Like the previous scenario, we have a plethora of options to pick. However, one of my previous suggestions would likely no longer be available, that being Harrison Jr. He would likely be taken by the Arizona Cardinals at third overall. If you want to get another weapon for our future QB, Nabers is likely the best option available. If you want to go for defense, Latu, Newton, and Kinchens are good players to go after. However, I want to highlight two other prospects that I didn’t cover in my previous scenario.
Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE Rusher Dallas Turner
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Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner is ranked as the second-best edge rusher in the class of 2024, behind only Latu. Turner has a career total of 21.5 sacks in his three-year collegiate career. This season, Turner has nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, showcasing great pass-rushing and run-stuffing abilities. Likely, a trade back from fifth overall would be necessary. Turner is projected to be picked ninth overall by the New Orleans Saints, one pick after Latu who is slated to be picked eighth by the Titans. The Bears pass rush needs more help. DE Montez Sweat has shown his worth to the Bears, making Turner and Latu coveted potential picks for general manager Ryan Poles.
Washington Huskies WR Rome Odunze
Photo Credit: Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times
Now, Harrison is not likely to be available with our second pick. There’s also a possibility that Nabers is gone as well depending on how the draft order falls.
There are two other receivers available if the latter two are gone. These are FSU WR Keon Coleman and Washington WR Rome Odunze. I am higher on Odunze compared to Coleman. Coleman has never had a 1,000 yard season in his three years at FSU. His first year he had 50 yards and a touchdown. Last year, Coleman had 798 yards and seven touchdowns. This year, he had 658 yards and a whopping 11 touchdowns.
Odunze meanwhile has had a four year collegiate career and has had two consecutive 1,000 plus yard seasons. His first year in 2020, he had limited reps racking up 72 yards. In 2021 he improved to 415 yards and four touchdowns. Last year he leapfrogged to 1145 yards and seven touchdowns. This year, he has totaled 1428 yards and 13 touchdowns. His physical build is also similar to Harrison Jr’s. The latter man is listed at 6’4” and 205 lbs. Odunze is listed at 6’3” and 213 lbs. Ultimately I would prefer Odunze to Coleman if both Harrison Jr and Nabers are gone due to more time in college and stats that are leagues better than Coleman’s.
