The Chicago Bears are going to be in a great position to upgrade their roster this offseason. Their trade with the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft netted them multiple premium draft picks, including a first-rounder in the 2024 draft.
After their matchup on Thursday Night Football, which the Bears won 16-13, Chicago is one step closer to nabbing the No. 1 overall pick for a second straight year. It very well could be via the Panthers, who are now 1-8 while the Bears are 3-7.
Potentially having the chance to select twice inside the top five would drastically change the trajectory of the franchise. In a mock draft done over at Windy City Gridiron on SB Nation, that is exactly what the Bears do, in addition to nabbing more selections in two trades.
The first trade involves sending quarterback Justin Fields to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, a 2025 conditional third-round pick and quarterback Taylor Heinicke. The second trade helps the Bears accumulate Day 3 picks, sending a fourth-rounder to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a sixth and seventh-round pick in 2024 and a sixth-rounder in 2025.
Both deals are solid for Chicago, as they remake their offense in the first round of the mock. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. would be the selections, providing their offense with massive upside moving forward. Both players have star potential in the NFL.
In the second round, via the Fields trade, the Bears bolster their defensive line, selecting Harrison’s Buckeye teammate, Michael Hall Jr. The third-round pick focuses on their front seven as well, selecting Princely Umanmielen, an EDGE defender out of Florida. He can pair with the recently acquired Montez Sweat as a long-term pass-rushing duo.
With one of their fourth-round picks, the offensive line is improved with the addition of UConn offensive guard, Christian Haynes. With the second pick, they address a need in the secondary, selecting safety Tykee Smith out of Georgia.
The Bears don’t have a fifth-round pick but replenished sixth and seventh-round picks from the Seahawks trade. In the sixth round, they address a glaring need on their special teams, selecting punter Tory Taylor.
Last but not least, the Bears take a shot on a player with an incredible physical profile in Jalyx Hunt, an edge defender from Houston Christian. A converted safety, he is someone NFL teams would love to get on their roster and develop as he has the tools to succeed at the next level.
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