Bears can fill three significant holes in 2024 NFL Draft

It's a huge offseason for the Chicago Bears, who are armed with three of the first 75 picks in April's NFL Draft, including two top-10 selections. With that in mind, here are three players they could select to fill significant holes. 

We assume the Bears aren't trading any picks for this exercise. 

Quarterback | No. 1, QB Caleb Williams (USC) |

Accurate and consistent, Williams seemingly has all the tools to develop into a highly efficient quarterback with explosive play-making skills and an ability to ad lib like few others. While that might be the prototype for the ideal NFL quarterback today, those qualities also perfectly align with new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's scheme, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero. 

Justin Fields has shown flashes of what he could be and quarterback might not be the team's most glaring need. If they aren't all in on the former first-rounder, though, it seems obvious that Williams should be the pick if the Bears stand pat at No. 1.

Apart from the optics of trading the first choice for the second year in a row, passing on a quarterback again could be a franchise-altering mistake. It's a chance at an elite QB atop the draft they may not get again. 

Edge-rusher | No. 9, Dallas Turner (Alabama) |

The acquisition of Montez Sweat on the edge paid immediate dividends for the Bears this season, but they still lack a threat opposite the Pro Bowler. With the possibility of an offense-heavy draft earlier on, Chicago might have its pick of impact edge rushers to choose from at No. 9. 

If that turns out to be the case and Turner falls in the Bears' lap, he could be an outstanding fit. Long and fluid, the 6-foot-4, 242-pounder has an impressive arsenal of moves and the athleticism to grow into an elite pass rusher. 

While the team has a new defensive coordinator in former Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington, head coach Matt Eberflus will continue to call the plays on that end. The unit took positive strides with Eberflus running things and with his system heavily influenced by an impactful pass rush, it would be interesting to see what the Bears could do with Sweat and Turner causing havoc. 

Wide Receiver | No. 75, Brenden Rice (USC) |

Aside from the electric D.J. Moore, the Bears wide receiver room is void of play-makers and could use an upgrade. Furthermore, they're likely to add at the position, considering OC Waldron's penchant for using 11 personnel with receivers who could stretch the field while with the Seattle Seahawks. 

Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, has pedigree on his side and he was also Williams' No. 1 option at USC. If the Bears pull the trigger on the QB with the top pick in the draft, adding a familiar face and a comfortable weapon to ease his transition to the pro level couldn't hurt. 

Still green, Rice has plenty of room to improve. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver has already proven to have the size and speed to be an impactful receiver at the NFL level and there's potential there for much more.