The Chicago Bears have fewer roster questions after sending away quarterback Justin Fields and acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen.
. It seems likely that former USC quarterback Caleb Williams will be the top pick next month. The Bears also have the 9th overall pick. Before getting Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2024 fourth-rounder, the Bears were probably going to draft a top wide receiver from a deep pool of prospects.
But now that the quarterback and receiver positions are secured, ESPN’s draft expert Mel Kiper predicts that Chicago will address its pass rush by adding a top edge defender Jared Verse alongside defensive end Montez Sweat.
. Kiper said on Tuesday, March 19 that the Bears no longer need to focus on wideouts and can consider other options with their second first-round pick. He mentioned that the offensive line or helping the defense, which only had 30 sacks last season, could be possibilities. He suggested adding an edge rusher on the opposite side of Montez Sweat. Braxton Jones might not be the long-term left tackle, so the offensive line could be a consideration. The defense, which had only 30 sacks last season, could use help, so adding an edge rusher makes sense.
Jared Verse is projected as the second-best edge rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft Class
GettyEdge rusher Jared Verse used to play for the Florida State Seminoles.
Verse is possibly the most athletic edge rusher in the 2024 draft class. Pro Football Focus (PFF) currently ranks him as the second-best prospect at the position behind Dallas Turner . PFF stated that while Verse may have some limitations, he brings strength and is physically prepared to be a top pick. of Alabama.
Kiper agreed that Verse had some issues in his game, and he predicted that Turner would be picked one spot ahead of Verse by the
Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 overall. However, Kiper believes that Verse's potential is too good for the Bears to pass on him with the 9th pick. Verse's combine testing numbers were impressive, despite inconsistent 2023 tape. Kiper thinks that at 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, Verse has the ability to be a top pass-rusher at the next level, if he can put it all together.
Montez Sweat had a Pro Bowl season for the Bears in 2023
During an NFL game in 2023, Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat made a tackle against the Green Bay Packers.
GettyChicago made a smart move before last year’s mid-season trade deadline by trading a second-round pick to the
Washington Commanders for Sweat. Sweat led the Bears in sacks, getting
between stints in Washington and Chicago and becoming the first player in NFL history to lead two franchises in sacks during the same season. 12.5 total The Bears were still close to the bottom of the league in total sacks in 2023, as Kiper pointed out, and they need to focus on that position maybe more than any other. Therefore, if Chicago doesn’t choose a tackle at No. 9, the team is expected to select Verse.
The Chicago Bears have fewer roster questions to address after trading quarterback Justin Fields and acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen.
