Bears 7-round mock draft: Edge rusher or offensive tackle after Caleb Williams in Round 1? (2024)

We’ve made it to NFL Draft week, and more than a month into the belief that Caleb Williams will become a Chicago Bear on Thursday night.

When general manager Ryan Poles made the trade with Carolina last year, it was always possible that he’d use their 2024 first-round pick to get in position to take a quarterback if necessary. Then the Panthers bottomed out, Justin Fields didn’t do enough and Williams appeared to be too good to pass on.

That has led to no change at the top of our three mock drafts, with the action coming at No. 9.

For this third and final Bears mock draft, we decided to play out a trade-back scenario, where Poles stays in the top 12 and gets another Day 2 draft pick. While players will be graded differently by every team and draft analyst, we leaned on colleague Dane Brugler’s draft rankings and scouting reports.

Round 1, No. 1

Kevin Fishbain: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Having done Bears mock drafts for about a decade now, it’s been strange to consistently select the same guy in every edition. My goal with these is always to illustrate different scenarios and find good fits, more so than trying to actually predict because that can be a fool’s errand.

It’s an obvious reflection of the Bears having the top pick and a prospect like Williams available to them, but it speaks to the opportunity.

While reading through Brugler’s report on Williams, I’m reminded of how prolific he was. So much of the talk in the pre-draft process naturally focuses on hesitations around Williams, whether it’s his unique standing as the first NIL (name, image and likeness) star or some of his struggles protecting the football. That’s what the talk always turns to in March and April.

In case you forgot, here are some of Williams’ stats: an FBS-best 120 touchdowns from 2021 to 2023; averaged nearly three total touchdowns per game at USC; more plays of 20-plus yards (134) and 50-plus yards (20) than any other college player from 2022 to 2023.

Adam Jahns: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

What else is there to say or write now? The Bears are days away from making a franchise-altering selection in Williams. There is no reason for the Bears not to take him. He checks every box. The criticisms of Williams — starting with his intangibles and toughness — have been overblown, too. It’s time for the Bears (and their fans) to embrace everything that comes with a superstar quarterback.

MOCK TRADE: Bears trade No. 9 to Broncos for No. 12, Denver’s third-round pick (No. 76) and a 2025 fourth-round pick. In this scenario, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is still there at No. 9, and Sean Payton gets his quarterback of the future. Looking ahead to a deeper 2025 draft, Poles asks for a future fourth to sweeten the deal. A move for a quarterback always drives up the price.

Round 1, No. 12

Fishbain: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

After going receiver at No. 9 in Bears mock 1.0, followed by edge rusher Dallas Turner in 2.0, it’s time to see what an offensive lineman in Round 1 looks like, and who better than Williams’ high school teammate, Fashanu?

As much as we know about the emphasis on the offensive line from a GM and assistant GM who played the position, the Bears have made a grand total of two significant acquisitions up front — Darnell Wright as the No. 10 pick last year, and then a decent contract for guard Nate Davis. Here’s an opportunity to once again use a key draft resource and find Wright’s bookend, giving Poles runway at one of the most important positions on the field.

Coincidentally Brugler’s 12th-rated prospect overall (and second tackle), Fashanu was a star at Penn State. He was the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year in 2023 and team MVP. He’s only 21. He allowed zero sacks on 733 pass-blocking snaps in college. From Brugler: “Fashanu is a work in progress as a run blocker, but above average in pass protection, because of his body quickness, anchor versus power and attention to detail.”

In this scenario, the Bears would move Braxton Jones inside, make him their backup tackle or try to trade him — and a third-year pro with his experience, tape and contract is valuable. But, like they’re doing at quarterback, the Bears would see an opportunity to get someone with more potential at a premium position in Fashanu.

Jahns: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State

Another investment in the trenches just feels like it’s coming for the Bears. And with Fish picking Fashanu, it made sense to look at the other side. As I’ve said before, Verse feels like a fit for the Bears under coach Matt Eberflus.

Here are some highlights from Brugler’s scouting report on Verse: “plays with emotion; chirping at blockers to disrupt their focus is part of his competitive profile … blue-collar background and has a strong support system built on hard work … great teammate and quickly created a legacy in Tallahassee.”

Verse will turn 24 during this rookie season. That might be a negative. But his length, speed and motor should make him an immediate contributor opposite Montez Sweat. The Bears defense is built to win games right now — and Verse will help spark that immediately. It doesn’t take much projection to envision that. He’s drawn comparisons to Dante Fowler (Brugler), Ryan Kerrigan (Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network), LaMarr Woodley (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com) and Trey Hendrickson (Matt Miller, ESPN).

Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy was considered, too. Eberflus still needs that three-technique up front. But Eberflus also said at the NFL owners’ meetings that he’s expecting to see “a big jump” from Gervon Dexter in his second season.

Jared Verse is a powerful edge defender. But I see more on the tape here. Has a versatile rush plan, IMO. https://t.co/RdDXRmBYjM pic.twitter.com/n0fkirezC0

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 12, 2024

Round 3, No. 75

Fishbain: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

Before we get to Polk’s skill set as a receiver, read these lines from Brugler’s report and tell me this isn’t an Eberflus player: “You’ll love his mentality as a blocker … Washington coaching staff speaks highly of his work ethic and daily approach, in both practices and games.”

That’s “HITS.”

Polk has good size (6-foot-1, 203 pounds) and, per Brugler, is adept at over-the-shoulder balls on fades and “bucket throws.” That sounds like someone who would be a solid outside receiver to complement DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. He is versatile and can line up in the slot, too. Polk is not a burner like Poles’ other draft picks at receiver, but Velus Jones and Tyler Scott haven’t necessarily worked out (in Scott’s case, not yet), so maybe targeting someone with more strength and toughness would be a nice change of pace.

How the Bears attack receiver in this draft will be fascinating, especially if one of the big three happens to fall to No. 9, but if they decide not to use that pick on someone who’d be the No. 3 wideout in 2024, they still should try to get one on Day 2.

Jahns: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

This is said to be a deep year for offensive tackles. As two former offensive linemen, Poles and assistant GM Ian Cunningham will surely want to take advantage. It’s different on defense, where there’s a drop-off after the first round.

Amegadjie (6-5, 323 pounds, 36 1/8 arms) played locally at Hinsdale Central High School before becoming an All-Ivy League left tackle at Yale. He was a third-team All-American in his final year despite playing in just four games.

“From a size and athletic standpoint, Amegadjie pops on film, because of his rare length, light feet and smooth body control to mirror pass rushers or create momentum as a run blocker,” Brugler wrote.

Round 3, No. 76 (from Broncos)

Fishbain: Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon

One or more of the remaining holes on the roster could still be addressed via free agency, a veteran signed after the draft so as to not factor in the compensatory pick formula. In my mock 3.0, there is no edge rusher, so maybe a No. 3 would be a veteran, and the Bears would trust DeMarcus Walker — who played well down the stretch — to hold down the spot opposite Sweat.

By not signing a three-technique or drafting one in the first round, the Bears would either move forward with Gervon Dexter as the starter, sign a vet this summer, or, using Dorlus, have a rotation.

Brandon Dorlus is a DT prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.56 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 242 out of 1668 DT from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/gBY8sbxdkl pic.twitter.com/tb9aGt9Cz1

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 20, 2024

Last season, Dorlus led the Ducks with five sacks. He also had eight passes defensed, an impressive number for an interior player. He was durable, having played in 51 consecutive games. He has versatility in terms of where he lined up and could be a chess piece for Eberflus in the team’s subpackage.

From Brugler: “(Dorlus) has the natural power and agility to be a versatile disruptor in an NFL defensive line rotation.”

Jahns: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia

At the owners’ meetings, Poles explained how the Bears’ lack of depth on the interior of the offensive line stressed him out. Adding Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton helped. But what if he’s not done? The Bears thoroughly scouted this year’s class of centers, including hosting some at Halas Hall.

Van Pran-Granger (6-4, 298 pounds) is a true center. All of his snaps were played there at Georgia. He might not be the best athlete and his arms aren’t long, but he’s durable, making 44 consecutive starts. Brugler wrote that Van Pran-Granger can be “a physical presence in the run game, latching with his hands and finishing with equal parts core strength and aggressive attitude.” He also was a team captain for one of the best teams in the country the past two seasons, earning first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America honors in his last year.

𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 – @SedrickVanPran #GoDawgs | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/d82VvxujI7

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) April 9, 2024

Round 4, No. 122

Fishbain: Tory Taylor, punter, Iowa

When the final three rounds of a draft are expected to have less talent than in prior years, that’s when you take the punter — especially Taylor, an NCAA record holder in punting. He was must-see punting at Iowa. The Bears drafted Trenton Gill two years ago, and while he was solid as a rookie and finished strong in 2023, there’s an opportunity to upgrade that position. The Bears are a franchise that values special teams. What better way to celebrate the summer of Devin Hester’s Hall of Fame induction than drafting the most celebrated punter over the past few years?

Jahns: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan

Drafting a receiver or a safety would help round out the Bears’ roster. But there’s an overlooked need at tight end, too. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron featured three in his offense last season for the Seattle Seahawks.

Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Stephen Carlson (future reserve contract) are all signed, but tight ends also are needed on special teams.

“Overall, Barner is lighter than ideal to be an every-down Y tight end and doesn’t have the resume of a playmaking receiver, but he is a solid athlete with pass-catching upside and the play personality to handle run-blocking duties,” Brugler wrote. “He can provide depth on an NFL roster as a flex tight end.”

(Photos of Jared Verse, left, and Olu Fashanu: Charles LeClaire / USA Today; Michael Reaves / Getty Images)