Bears pass on QB and WR at No. 1 pick in latest mock draft

What the Bears will decide to do with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft remains one of the biggest mysteries of the offseason. But NFL.com's Cynthia Frelund may have the most shocking prediction in her latest mock draft.

With the No. 1 pick, Frelund has Chicago selecting Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.

"The Bears keep Justin Fields and pick this high-floor (aka lowered risk) LT prospect, who has experience but is also young (20 years old) with a ton of upside," Frelund writes. "Alt just passes receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in immediate impact for the Bears’ O-line, which allowed their QBs to be pressured at the highest rate in the league last season (45.1 percent)."

There are many scenarios that could play out for the Bears with the No. 1 pick, but Frelund's take is definitely a first.

The most probable outcomes seem to be trading QB Justin Fields and drafting a quarterback, likely USC's Caleb Williams, with the No. 1 pick or sticking with Fields, trading the No. 1 pick and landing another weapon like Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

However, in Frelund's "exercise," Chicago opts to strengthen Fields' protection. Although unlikely, it still wouldn't be the worst move for the Bears to make. Fields has been sacked an outrageous 135 times from 2021-23.

Alt would help keep that number from growing as fast as it has been. The massive 6-foot-8, 322-pound offensive lineman allowed just four sacks in his collegiate career.

Nonetheless, Chicago could still move down in the draft to acquire more capital and land Alt, who ranks as Pro Football Focus' No. 5 overall prospect on its big board.

Striking a deal with the Commanders, who Frelund then has selecting Williams at pick No. 2, or Patriots would make sense. The Bears could gain picks, players or both and still be able to land their guy.

Chicago still has plenty of time to decide what it wants to do. But no time should be wasted as the 2024 NFL Draft, which takes place on April 25 in Detroit, will be here faster than the Bears realize.