Mar 5, 2024 By Rob Maaddi 7 min read

The Chicago Bears passed up C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young last year because they had Justin Fields.

Now, they’ve got a shot at Caleb Williams.

They can’t miss another chance at a franchise quarterback.

The Bears traded away the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers, who used it to select Young. They ended up with the top pick again this year because Young struggled and the Panthers flopped.

Fields, who was picked 11th overall in 2021, is 10-28 in three seasons in Chicago. He finished strong, leading the Bears to a 4-3 record over their final seven games last season.

But Williams is the future for Chicago.

The first edition of the AP’s 2024 mock draft says the Bears keep the top pick.

1. Chicago Bears: CALEB WILLIAMS, QB, USC.

Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, didn’t work out at the NFL’s scouting combine in Indianapolis. He didn’t have to. He’s the consensus No. 1 pick and the Bears finally may have a long-term answer at the most important position.

2. Washington Commanders: JAYDEN DANIELS, QB, LSU.

The Commanders choose the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner over Drake Maye, giving new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury a dual-threat QB to build his offense around. Daniels has the ability to make big plays with his arm and legs while also taking care of the ball. He threw 40 touchdown pass and just four interceptions last season.

3. New England Patriots: DRAKE MAYE, QB, NORTH CAROLINA.

It’s a new era in New England with Bill Belichick gone. Jerod Mayo took his place as head coach but the Patriots still haven’t found a QB to replace Tom Brady. Mac Jones, a first-round pick in 2021, fizzled after a solid rookie season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Maye stood out at the combine with Williams and Daniels electing to not participate. He’s been one of the best college QBs over the past two seasons and has what it takes to be a franchise player.

4. Arizona Cardinals: MARVIN HARRISON, JR., WR, OHIO STATE.

Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison’s son is considered the best overall prospect in the draft. He has all the physical tools and skills to become one of the NFL’s dominant receivers.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: JOE ALT, OT, NOTRE DAME.

New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has made it clear the team must protect QB Justin Herbert and the offense has to run the ball efficiently. The 6-9, 321-pound Alt is widely considered the best blocker in a strong draft class. His father, John Alt, was a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle in Kansas City.

6. New York Giants: MALIK NABERS, WR, LSU.

The Giants haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2018. Naber gives them a physical receiver with elite ball skills and explosive route-running ability.

7. Tennessee Titans: TALIESE FUAGA, OT, ORGEON STATE.

The Titans need to protect Will Levis after allowing an NFL-high 64 sacks. The massive Fuaga, 6-6, 324, excels in pass protection and is a people-mover as a run blocker. He’s considered the second-best tackle behind Alt.

8. Atlanta Falcons: J.J. MCCARTHY, QB, MICHIGAN.

New coach Raheem Morris and the Falcons will be looking for a franchise QB unless they trade for Fields or acquire Russell Wilson. This spot may be too early for McCarthy and Atlanta could trade back to get him. Despite playing in a run-heavy offense, McCarthy’s stock is on the rise after leading Michigan to a national championship.

9. Chicago Bears: ROME ODUNZE, WR, WASHINGTON.

The Bears could be in position to take the best edge rusher in the draft, but teaming Odunze with D.J. Moore to give Williams another playmaker is too enticing to pass up.

10. New York Jets: OLUMUYIWA FASHANU, OT, PENN STATE.

Protecting Aaron Rodgers is the top priority. Fashanu had to cut his combine workout short because of a thigh injury, but expects to be ready for his pro day. The 6-6, 321-pound Fashanu is already an elite pass blocker on the right side. He didn’t allow a sack in college.

11. Minnesota Vikings: DALLAS TURNER, EDGE, ALABAMA.

The Vikings take an athletic edge rusher in Turner. He has size, speed and burst to get after playmaking QBs.

12. Denver Broncos: BO NIX, QB, OREGON.

Because they’ll have to replace Wilson, the Broncos grab Nix ahead of more talented players at other positions. Trading down to get one of the second-tier QB would be an ideal scenario. Wherever they get him, Nix seems like a perfect fit for coach Sean Payton..

13. Las Vegas Raiders: BYRON MURPHY, DT, TEXAS.

Unless one of the top five QBs are available, the Raiders bolster the interior of their defensive line.

14. New Orleans Saints: LAIATU LATU, EDGE, UCLA.

Latu was the best defensive end in college last season, earning both the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks awards. He’ll give the Saints a pass rusher.

15. Indianapolis Colts: TERRION ARNOLD, CB, ALABAMA.

Arnold is an exceptional cover guy tough enough to be an asset against the run.

16. Seattle Seahawks: KRIS JENKINS, DT, MICHIGAN.

The son of two-time All-Pro nose tackle Kris Jenkins has the ability to wreak havoc in the middle of a defensive line as a premier run-stuffer.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: BRIAN THOMAS, JR., WR, LSU.

Trevor Lawrence gets a playmaker over a pass protector. Thomas had 1,177 yards receiving and just ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: J.C. LATHAM, OT, ALABAMA.

Latham gives the Bengals more protection for Joe Burrow. He’s an athletic, powerful right tackle who should be an immediate starter.

19. Los Angeles Rams: NATE WIGGINS, CB, CLEMSON.

Wiggins has elite speed, he’s versatile and is a playmaker.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QUINYON MITCHELL, CB, TOLEDO.

Mitchell ran 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and gives the Steelers another young potential star to pair opposite Joey Porter Jr.

21. Miami Dolphins: TYLER GUYTON, OT, OKLAHOMA.

Guyton is a mammoth (6-8, 322) and athletic tackle versatile enough to play either side, giving the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa an anchor opposite Terron Armstead.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: COOPER DEJEAN, CB, IOWA.

DeJean didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage last season and he’s versatile so the secondary-needy Eagles can use him in various ways.

23. Houston Texans: JARED VERSE, EDGE, FLORIDA STATE.

The Texans get a steal when Verse slips out of the top 10. He possesses the skills to be an elite pass rusher.

24. Dallas Cowboys: AMARIUS MIMS, OT, GEORGIA.

The Cowboys get a combine superstar in Mims, who has outstanding speed for a giant (6-7, 340) of a man.

25. Green Bay Packers: PATRICK PAUL, OT, HOUSTON.

The Packers get a behemoth bookend tackle. Paul is 6-7, 333 pounds yet agile enough to take on speedy edge rushers.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, OL, OREGON

Powers-Johnson is the consensus No. 1 center/interior offensive lineman. The Bucs snag a projected top-20 player.

27. Arizona Cardinals: JER’ZHAN NEWTON, DT, ILLINOIS.

Newton is a disruptive interior defender who brings a physical presence with outstanding ability to get to the quarterback.

28. Buffalo Bills: CHOP ROBINSON, EDGE, PENN STATE.

Coming off an impressive combine, Robinson is drawing comparisons to former Nittany Lions star Micah Parsons.

29. Detroit Lions: KAMARI LASSITER, CB, GEORGIA.

Steps in right away to bolster the defense for the NFC runner-up Lions.

30. Baltimore Ravens: JORDAN MORGAN, OT, ARIZONA.

Morgan is a versatile lineman who can move to guard.

31. San Francisco 49ers: GRAHAM BARTON, OT, DUKE.

Barton fits nicely in coach Kyle Shanahan’s run schemes and can play tackle or guard.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: XAVIER WORTHY, WR, TEXAS.

The Chiefs have won consecutive Super Bowls since trading Tyreek Hill but now they add someone even faster. Worthy set a combined record with a 4.21 40-yard dash.