The Chicago Bears are going to select quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, which is all but certain ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. But, what general manager Ryan Poles can do at No. 9 overall holds significant intrigue.
Whether Poles opts to select the best remaining offensive tackle to help keep Williams upright, or moves back to acquire future draft capital and nab the premier pass-rusher to pair opposite Montez Sweat, or even holds steady and selects the best remaining wide receiver in a loaded class at the position, the Bears are all but guaranteed to come away with two blue-chip players with their first two selections.
But, former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum outlines an absolutely bonkers scenario that could set the Bears up to compete for the NFC North almost immediately.
Tannenbaum has generational wide receiver prospect, and former Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. slipping to No. 9 overall.
“Chicago just traded for Keenan Allen and has a really solid set of playmakers,” Tannenbaum writes for ESPN. “But, how can you pass up Harrison at No. 9? He reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald — he’s excellent in contested catch situations, has great hands and gets in and out of his breaks smoothly despite being 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds. He just had his second straight season with 14 TDs and over 1,200 receiving yards (1,211). What better way to put Caleb Williams in a position to be successful than loading up his supporting cast?”
Is Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Even Possible For The Chicago Bears in the NFL Draft?
All due respect to Tannenbaum and his time running the New York Jets’ front office, but there’s a better chance of Jerry Rice being on the board and lining up catching passes from Williams come September than Harrison Jr.
Look, every year there comes a phase during the pre-draft process where paralysis by overanalysis takes place. This feels like a tipping point moment.
Harrison has been the runaway premier receiver prospect — and perhaps top prospect overall in this class, for at least a year. While there is always the possibility that four quarterbacks go flying off the board in the top five selections, that still leaves the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons who could all use a playmaker of Harrison’s caliber in their receiving corps who would love to stop his slide.
Not to mention a hoard of teams banging down the doors and burning down the phone lines to trade up for Harrison Jr.
Listen, if Poles can walk out of Detroit with Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. in tow, start engraving his name on the Executive of The Year Trophy now, and feel free to purchase Bears Super Bowl futures in the next couple seasons.
It’s just nearly beyond the realm of plausibility that Poles could pluck Harrison Jr. by staying put with the ninth pick.
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