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A look at the Chicago Bears approach to the 2024 NFL draft
The Chicago Bears’ approach to the 2024 NFL Draft reveals a strategic blueprint aimed at revitalizing their roster. After securing the top overall pick from the Carolina Panthers and trading away former starting quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears are positioned with two selections in the top 10, promising a significant infusion of talent. However, with limited picks in the later rounds due to previous trades, each selection carries substantial weight.
High-Value First-Round Picks
The Bears hold the coveted first overall pick, a direct result of last year’s blockbuster trade with the Panthers. This position allows them to potentially draft a franchise-changing player. It’s almost certain the Bears will select Caleb Williams with the top selection as the former Heisman Trophy quarterback has recently visited Chicago and has not felt the need to visit other teams.
The ninth pick, their own, also offers an opportunity to secure another top-tier talent. The Bears could continue to add playmakers on offense with some experts indicating they could either move up or stay put to draft a wide receiver, most likely Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, or Malik Nabers. There’s also the chance they could find another EDGE rusher opposite Montez Sweat, strengthening their defense. These two picks are instrumental in shaping the team’s future, focusing on filling critical roster gaps and choosing their quarterback for the future.
Limited Mid to Late-Round Action
Beyond the first round, the Bears’ draft capital thins considerably. They will not participate in the second round, having traded that pick to acquire edge rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders.
Their next selection comes in the third round at pick 75, followed by a fourth-round pick at 122, obtained from the Philadelphia Eagles. The absence of fifth, sixth, and seventh-round picks—traded in various deals to bolster the current roster—means the Bears must be particularly strategic with their limited opportunities.
Strategic Trades and Roster Moves
The Bears have been active in the trade market, using draft picks as capital to acquire immediate help. Notable transactions include the acquisition of six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen and offensive linemen Ryan Bates and Dan Feeney. These moves indicate a focus on building a competitive team in the short term while also planning for future development through the draft.
Impact of 2023 Draft Selections
Reflecting on the 2023 draft, the Bears aimed to solidify their offensive and defensive lines. Darnell Wright, selected 10th overall last year, proved a valuable asset, starting all 17 games at tackle. However, the mixed performance of the defensive rookies from the second and third rounds highlights the need for impactful selections in this year’s draft to bolster the squad’s depth and effectiveness.
The Road Ahead in the Draft
As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches on April 25, the Bears are under pressure to make the most of their four picks. The key will be maximizing their high-value selections to address essential needs, potentially focusing on quarterback, offensive tackle, and defensive playmakers. With a strategic approach, these picks could form the cornerstone of the team’s future.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Draft for Chicago Bears
The 2024 NFL Draft represents a critical juncture for the Bears. With two top-10 picks in the first round, they have a golden opportunity to reshape their team identity and trajectory. Meanwhile, their strategy of leveraging mid to late-round picks for immediate veteran help will be put to the test. The success of this draft could very well determine the pace and success of the Bears’ rebuilding efforts in the coming years.
More must-reads:
- The 25 worst NFL teams who still made it to the postseason
- Jerry Jones is getting exactly what he wants with Micah Parsons drama
- The 'Most seasons with 1,000 receiving yards' quiz
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Troubling report surfaces on Patriots' first-round rookie
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might not feel comfortable with his blindside protection early in the upcoming season. Following troubles at left tackle in 2024, the Patriots invested in the position by drafting LSU standout Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick in April's draft. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Campbell has been trending down at training camp this summer. "All eyes are on him every practice, which is a tough spot for a rookie," Graff wrote of Campbell. "So far, he’s been about what you’d expect from a rookie. He has some strong moments, particularly in the running game. But there have been struggles in the passing game. He’s been beaten for a sack in just about every practice, which isn’t great considering he’s usually on the field each practice for only 15 or so passing plays in full-team drills. "He tends to get beaten to the inside after oversetting, and it probably doesn’t help that the Pats don’t yet know who their left guard is next to him. Still, extrapolate those numbers, and that’s allowing two sacks each NFL game if you throw the ball 30 times. Not great." Graff believes the future is "bright" for Campbell, but doesn't think he will be a top-20 left tackle in 2025. NFL scouts had questions before the draft about Campbell's 32⅝ inch (or 33 inches, depending on whether one believes the league or LSU) arm length. Some suggested he'd be better suited to play guard in the league than left tackle. If Campbell continues to give up sacks, the Patriots might consider moving the 21-year-old to the interior part of the offensive line. Per OurLads, Campbell is projected to win the left tackle starting job for Week 1. If Campbell doesn't develop quickly in the preseason, Maye's progress as a thrower in the pocket could take a hit in the upcoming season.
Warriors-Suns Jonathan Kuminga Trade Update Emerges After $90 Million Offer
The Golden State Warriors remain in a stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer sheet a team signs him to. However, that hasn't stopped teams from trying to acquire Kuminga. Among the teams that have pushed hard for Kuminga are the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported on Wednesday that the Suns have tried to acquire Kuminga. In fact, they have made "the most lucrative push via sign-and-trade" for Kuminga. The Suns can acquire players via sign-and-trade after waiving and stretching the last two years of Bradley Beal's contract. Doing so got them under the NBA's first tax apron, which permits them to do so. However, completing a sign-and-trade requires a willing trade partner to make it happen. While the Suns remain interested in Kuminga, pulling off a trade will be tricky for them because the Warriors aren't interested in what the Suns have offered for him. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that sign-and-trade talks have gone nowhere because the Warriors don't want what the Suns are offering. "Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner," Amick wrote. "So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer." The Warriors have all the leverage because, with Kuminga as a restricted free agent, they don't have to agree to a sign-and-trade with the Suns or anyone else if the offer holds little appeal to them.
'I see a clear role for him' — Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell speaks highly of new defender who's having a great training camp
The cornerback position for the Minnesota Vikings has seen a lot of questions over the last few months. Arguably the biggest one is whether or not the Vikings added enough talent to really make the Super Bowl run. Through the first week and a half of training camp, it looks to be the right decision by the Vikings. Their depth at cornerback has been really impressive, leaving a lot more confidence in the cornerback group than we had previously. The biggest standout has been Jeff Okudah, which was a fascinating addition in real time. During his press conference on Friday, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about Okudah's performance in training camp, and he also raved about him. "You guys probably felt it. I mean, when he gets up and presses, you know, at that line of scrimmage and wins that early fight in the down, you don't see him lose very much, you know, when he gets his hands on people. I think I've been probably surprised. I actually got a chance to spend some time with him many years ago, at Ohio State, went for the pro day. A friend of mine, who happens to be the coordinator up in Green Bay now, was the coordinator there, and I got to spend some time with Jeff. And just remember thinking to myself, This guy is going to be a top-five pick. I mean, felt like he was as tall as I was, you know, big, strong, fast, and then he was and we're very fortunate to have him. I see a clear role for him. Not all corners in our defense play the same spots, play the same roles, so to think that we're going to have him in a role we feel pretty strongly about, it's great to see him take it and run with it early on, because I think he's had a phenomenal camp. And I hope you know that'd be a good question for Flo [Brian Flores]. You probably asked him already, but I know flow in my dialog about Jeff has been really positive early on." The line from O'Connell talking about how they see a clear role for him resonates hard here. The Vikings have done a good job in putting players in position to be successful. Okudah's role is likely going to be similar to what Shaquill Griffin's was last year. The biggest difference between Okudah and Griffin? The former can run with really fast wide receivers. Will Okudah end up being a quality starter for the Vikings? That remains to be seen, but it's certainly possible, especially with how well the coaching staff is talking about him.
Surprising update emerges about Jayson Tatum’s recovery
Jayson Tatum may be giving a glimmer of hope right now to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics star Tatum, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, was reportedly moving well while working out at Chris Paul’s CP3 Elite Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, this week (per Heavy.com’s Steve Bulpett). Bulpett adds that the possibility of Tatum rejoining the Celtics late in the 2025-26 regular season has not been ruled out at this point. “He was moving really well,” an unnamed NBA scout was quoted as saying about Tatum. “There might have been a slight limp or something, but the surprising thing to me is that he didn’t have a boot for any of it. I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles’ tears, and he looked way ahead. I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving.” You can read Bulpett’s full report about the Tatum situation here. The six-time All-Star Tatum suffered an Achilles rupture during the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks in mid-May (video here). That means he is still only about two-and-a-half months removed from the injury and subsequent surgery. Achilles tears generally take about nine to 12 months to recover from, which would put Tatum around mid-February of next year at the absolute earliest. But it is certainly encouraging that he is already working out with a boot, and it should also help that Tatum is still only 27 years old as he embarks on his rehab. Of course, Tatum’s return to the floor will also be influenced by how the Celtics perform next season. Boston parted ways with some prominent players this offseason in an apparent effort to punt on the 2025-26 campaign and create financial flexibility. Thus, they obviously won’t push Tatum to an early return if the season is already a lost cause.
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