4 BEST OPTIONS FOR THE BEARS WITH THE NO. 9 PICK

The Chicago Bears are set to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

They also have their first-round pick which will be made at No. 9. Well, possibly at nine as the Bears have plenty of options they can do with that pick such as trading down.

There is some hope the Bears will try to trade up to get Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Bears lack draft capital this year as they only have a third- and fourth-round choice in this year's draft. They could dangle 2025 draft picks, but it might be hard seeing the Arizona Cardinals give up the second coming of Larry Fitzgerald for picks in 2025.

The lack of draft picks also puts the Bears in an advantageous position to move down. That will be discussed shortly.

The Bears must consider these four options with their pick at No. 9.

Take Left Tackle Joe Alt (if He Falls)

He is considered the top tackle prospect in the draft. The Notre Dame left tackle also has the potential to be a Hall of Famer when his career is down.

There is a chance he could fall to the Bears. They would need the eight teams in front of them to draft the three other quarterbacks expected to go in the first round (Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy), the three top receivers (Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers), and then two other teams need to go defense.

The chances of that happening are not likely since it would make sense for the San Diego Chargers or the Tennessee Titans to take him. The Charges could also trade out of their pick and the Titans might decide to go with another player, so the chance is out there.

It is not the end of the world if Alt does not fall as the Bears have Braxton Jones as a capable left tackle. It just would be nice to have an upgrade like Alt protecting Williams' blindside.

Go Wide Receiver With Odunze or Nabers

That has a better chance of happening as some teams could go with Alt and the other highly-rated tackles. Williams would not mind throwing to Odunze.

The Bears added Keenan Allen this offseason, but he is in his 30s. The Bears could use a young, playmaking wide receiver and Odunze and Nabers can be that for the next ten years.

Draft Dallas Turner

The Alabama edge rusher is considered the best pass-rushing prospect in the draft. The Bears need another edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat.

Trade Down

If those four players are gone, the Bears should consider moving down. It would be great to have Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, but the Bears at least have Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett on the roster.

The Bears could use a three-technique defensive tackle but Byron Murphy II and Jer'Zhan Newton should still be available a few spots after nine. Taliese Fuaga, Troy Fautanu, and Olumuyiwa Fashanu are good offensive tackle prospects that also could be available a few spots later. Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse are also good edge-rushing prospects that might be available later in the first-round.

The key is the Bears should not drop too far down so that way they can make sure they get one of these impact players. Moving down would allow the Bears to recoup some of the lost draft capital the team currently has.

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This article was originally published on dawindycity.com as 4 Best Options for the Bears With the No. 9 Pick.

2024-04-25T14:22:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd