Bears stack increasingly popular QB-WR duo in the first round of Mel Kiper's latest mock draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is almost upon us and which each passing day we are still far from getting a clear look at how the Top-10 selections might play out.

Currently, the only selection anyone is confident in is USC quarterback Caleb Williams being drafted with the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears. Beyond that, it's truly anyone’s guess at this point.

Today, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper shared his updated two round mock draft with the world that included his thoughts on what could transpire later this month. His mock included only two picks for the Bears; the first and ninth overall selections. One of which has now become obvious, the other is a mystery. Here's what he had to say.

Mel Kiper's Selections:

1. QB Caleb Williams, USC

Again, this pick should be guaranteed at this point if not for all the televised theatrics surrounding the draft. The Bears are positioned perfectly to not only select their next franchise quarterback but allow him to walk into a prime situation in the NFL.

I don't think we need to spend much time debating the direction the Bears will go here. Justin Fields is gone, and Williams is the clear best quarterback in this class. With Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Cole Kmet as his top three targets, he's going to have a chance to hit the ground running in a way that Bryce Young just couldn't in Carolina last season. - ESPN's Mel Kiper

Williams may or may not be the savior in Chicago but one thing has been clear this offseason, general manager Ryan Poles has done everything he can to ensure the Bears' next quarterback won't just be the latest name added to the list of failures at the position. It's all on Williams to prove himself to the city of Chicago.

9. WR Rome Odunze, Washington

With the Bears' second pick in the Top-10, Kiper had the team selecting an increasingly popular name to help support their new quarterback even more. Poles himself noted that the Bears are considering wide receiver, pass rusher, and offensive tackle with this selection. Kiper has the Bears adding another weapon to the offense in Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

This would be a dream scenario for the Bears, right? They would be adding an elite wideout on a rookie contract to play with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, and they wouldn't have to move up from No. 9 to do it. Remember that Allen is a free agent in 2025, so wide receiver is a bigger need for Chicago than it might seem. The 6-foot-3 Odunze was a nightmare for defenses to deal with in college. He had 92 catches last season, 23 of which came on vertical routes, the most in the FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Information. - ESPN's Mel Kiper

The thought of pairing Williams with the trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Odunze is an exciting thought for Bears' fans and a terrifying thought for the rest of the NFC North. The best part, if the Bears decide to go in this direction, that doesn’t entirely mean Allen will walk in free agency next season. Which could mean this potential trio will stick around in Chicago for a good while.

My Thoughts:

It's no secret that the Bears are targeting Williams, and should be expected to take him with the first overall pick. The real intrigue comes from what the Bears will do with the ninth overall pick in the first round.

While the ideal of adding another top wide receiver is enticing, and certainly on the table considering the Bears have now brought in all three of the top wide receivers in the class for a visit, I believe the Bears should look to add a top pass rusher at nine.

The backing behind this is due to the depth of talent at the two positions overall in the class. After the ninth overall pick, the Bears won't be on the clock again until the 75th overall pick in the third round barring any trade. I'm more confident about finding a starting caliber wide receiver in the third round than I am about finding a top pass rusher late on Day 2.

However, if the front office values one of the top three wide receivers higher than the top pass rusher in the class, then I could see why the Bears could go in this direction. At this point, I believe the conversation is revolving solely on whether the front office believes that to be the case or not.