The Chicago Bears entered the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 with four picks over the three-day draft.
The Bears made USC quarterback Caleb Williams the No. 1 pick in the draft. The selection of the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner was viewed as a foregone conclusion after the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month.
Williams immediately becomes QB1 for a franchise and a fan base starved for a star quarterback. The only other quarterbacks on the roster are second-year player Tyson Bagent and journeyman Brett Rypien.
Williams should love the wide receivers he’ll be throwing to in Chicago. The Bears already had veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, then they added Washington’s Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick on Thursday night.
They could have traded down or taken the first defensive player in the draft, but grabbing one of the top three wide receivers was too tempting to pass up.
On Friday night, the Bears fortified their offensive line depth by selecting Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie with the No. 75 pick.
With what was expected to be their final pick of the draft, the Bears selected record-setting Iowa punter Tory Taylor. They used the highest pick on a punter in five years at No. 122 overall in the fourth round.
Taylor said he got this text from Williams on Saturday: “Hey, you’re not going to punt too much here.”
General manager Ryan Poles wasn’t satisfied with four total picks in this draft, so he made a deal with the Bills to add a fifth-round pick (No. 144) in exchange for a 2025 fourth-rounder. They used Buffalo’s pick to grab Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker.
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Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each Bears pick.
Round 1
No. 1 (from Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
How he fits
Most of the concerns regarding Caleb Williams subside if you buy into the idea his risk-taking said more about a weak supporting cast (on both sides of the ball) at USC. I’m interested in seeing how that aspect of his game transfers to Chicago, where the presence of a defensive-minded coach signals less tolerance for risk. Williams will have a couple of solid veteran receivers and a defense that appears solid. He won’t have to carry the Bears as much as he had to carry USC. — Mike Sando
Dane Brugler’s analysis
“Williams needs to be more consistent working on schedule from the pocket, but you live with the hiccups because the positives are special with his dynamic passing skills and instinctive ability to create. Though stylistically he is like a really impressive karaoke-style version of Patrick Mahomes, he is truly unique as a playmaker.”
Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns’ analysis
Chicago Bears draft Caleb Williams: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Scott Dochterman’s grade: A
Round 1 grades for all 32 picks
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No. 9: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
How he fits
The Bears have remade their offense in two short years, and by selecting Odunze at No. 9, Chicago has changed the trajectory of the franchise for perhaps the next decade. With Odunze, Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore working with Williams, the Bears have a potentially explosive offense. (Yes, let that sink in.) — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Odunze is an above-average height/weight/speed athlete with the pass-catching instincts and competitive focus to be a playmaking NFL receiver. He projects as a true X receiver and has the skill level to elevate his quarterback’s play (stylistically similar to Drake London).
Kevin Fishbain’s analysis
Chicago Bears draft Rome Odunze: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Scott Dochterman’s grade: A+
Round 1 grades for all 32 picks
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Dream scenario plays out for Bears as they pair Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze
Round 3
No. 75: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
How he fits
Poles is known for addressing the offensive line, so it’s no surprise he did so with this pick. But with glaring holes at defensive tackle and defensive end, he went for boom or bust. Amegadjie (6-5 1/2, 323 pounds) has left tackle arm length (36 1/8) was a two-time All-Ivy League offensive lineman despite playing only four games in 2023 with a torn left quad.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
“Amegadjie is a raw prospect who needs technical and strength work before he sees live NFL reps, but his physical ingredients and competitive drive are the foundational elements that pro coaches want to develop. He projects as a backup left tackle as a rookie who has all the tools to gradually develop into an NFL starter.”
Adam Jahns’ analysis
Chicago Bears draft Kiran Amegadjie: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Scott Dochterman’s grade: C-minus
Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate Rounds 2-3
Round 4
No. 122 (from Eagles): Tory Taylor, P, Iowa
How he fits
The Bears had only four picks in the draft and used their final one on a punter. Why? They ranked 31st in net punting (38.0), 25th in yards per punt and owe just $38,000 in dead cap money to the combination of former punters Trenton Gill and Corliss Whitman, according to Spotrac. Taylor, 26, was one of the most prolific punters in college football history with the honors and numbers to match. The native Australian’s career average of 46.3 yards per punt is the best in NCAA history for anyone with more than 250 punts. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
“The top-ranked specialist in the 2024 draft class, Taylor set an NCAA record with 4,479 punting yards in 2023, which earned him unanimous All-America honors and the Ray Guy Award. He also finished his career with the Iowa records for career punts (295) and punt yardage (13,657). Taylor has both the leg strength and accuracy to become one of the better punters in the NFL.”
Kevin Fishbain’s analysis
When do you take a punter in Round 4?
1. When it’s Tory Taylor
2. When you struggled at punting the previous season
3. When the Day 3 talent isn’t what it usually is
Round 5
No. 144 (from Bills): Austin Booker, edge, Kansas
How he fits
The Bears had a clear need for a pass rusher beyond starters Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker. Booker, Brugler’s No. 78 overall prospect, had eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season. “Although he is still figuring out how and when to access his bag of tricks, Booker instinctively uses his rangy frame to create various leverage points and surprise blockers with his forceful hands,” Brugler wrote.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
“Overall, Booker is lacking in body mass and overall experience (just 505 career college snaps), but he is an ascending player with the ability to maximize his athletic traits and body length/force with proper biomechanics. With his tools and instincts, he projects as a rotational player in Year 1 with the potential to become an impact starter.”
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(Photo of Austin Booker: Scott Winters / Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
