Bears Mock Draft Monday: Operation build around Justin Fields

The Bears pass on the top quarterbacks in the draft in favor of keeping Fields, trade back for more future picks, and still come away with arguably the top overall prospect in the entire draft. The Bears offense now features the trio of Fields, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Moore. How's that for an upgrade?

The Ohio State wide receiver is potentially the best prospect the prestigious program has ever produced which says a lot considering Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Michael Thomas and Terry McLaurin all recently came out of Ohio State.

The son of the former Colts Hall of Famer is ready to etch his own name into the list of top wide receivers in the NFL. The Bears offense, with a new play caller on the way, would be ready to light up scoreboards with this trio in the passing game.

9th Overall Pick: DE Laiatu Latu

The Bears already added one impact player on offense, now let's add one to the defense. Laiatu Latu is considered possibly the best defensive end in the entire class and the Bears find a bargain with their second pick in the first round.

Latu will join the Bears defensive line alongside 2023 Pro Bowler Montez Sweat, who singlehandedly transformed the entire Bears defense after arriving Chicago halfway through the season. Imagine the kind of mayhem the unit could now produce with another top edge rusher on the other side of the front.

Latu recorded 13.0 sacks during his final season at UCLA after posting 10.5 sacks the year before. The senior defensive end will fit right at home in the Bears opportunistic and turnover hungry defense after forcing two fumbles and two interceptions during his final season in 2023.

73rd Overall Pick: S Tykee Smith

The Georgia Bulldogs defense has been a goldmine for top caliber NFL players over the last two seasons and it's time the Bears get involved. Tykee Smith would be the newest member of the Bears defense and continue to fill general manager Ryan Poles' need of drafting secondary help in the second round.

Smith could also fill the void in the secondary if the Bears decide to move on from safety Eddie Jackson, who's expected to have a $18,140,000 cap hit in 2024. Even if the Bears get Jackson to take a pay cut, it'll be wise to draft a player high that will be groomed into the position long term.

The Bulldogs' safety had four interceptions and two sacks during his final season at Georgia. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith was targeted 51 times and allowed a 51.7 passer rating in coverage. His high energy and aggressiveness will fit perfectly into head coach Matt Eberflus' young secondary.

109th Overall Pick: C Seth McLaughlin

Another top player from a prestigious program who fills a massive need on the Bears roster. Seth McLaughlin, the Alabama starting center, has been a center piece of the program's offensive line for the past two seasons.

The Bears are in need of an immediate upgrade to replace Lucas Patrick at center while providing long-term protection for Fields. The team's unit up front will then feature Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Darnell Wright, and McLaughlin as foundational pieces.

Pro Football Focus credited McLaughlin with only one sack, nine hurries and 14 pressures allowed throughout the 2023 season. For context, Patrick allowed 25 hurries and 28 pressures in 2023 while having a 40.6 pass blocking grade, per PFF.

125th Overall Pick: OG Cooper Beebe

The Bears double dip on the offensive line and added some more necessary depth to the interior of the offensive line with Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe. The Bears will likely move on from offensive guard Cody Whitehair, another cap casualty, and will need some insurance to replace him.

Beebe is traditionally a guard but appeared as a right tackle for two games in 2023 for Kansas State. Pro Football Focus credited Beebe with just one sack, zero QB hits, eight hurries and nine pressures allowed while starting every game for the Wildcats.

He'll be a big addition to the squad who could give the Bears another option to utilize while planning out the future of the unit up-front.

146th Overall Pick: IDL Keith Randolph Jr.

It never hurts to add more young players to the rotation on the defensive line, especially late in the draft. The Bears added Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens to the unit in the 2023 Draft and can take a flier on Keith Randolph Jr. in 2024.

The former three star prospect posted 10.5 sacks and 159 total tackles during his collegiate career at Illinois. Now, Randolph has his eyes set on the NFL Draft and could be a Bears potential target.

Randolph developed into an All-Big Ten caliber player in 2023 and could take a few more years of development in Chicago to better refine his skillset while rotating in and out of the Bears defensive front.

187th Overall Pick: LB Michael Barrett

Late in the draft, the Bears are just looking for depth pieces and potential special teams players to add to the roster. Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett could fit both of those holes for the Bears.

The team will need some more linebacker depth behind Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Jack Sanborn along with some more special teams starters with high energy. Barrett will be fresh off the National Championship and should be expected to declare following the game.

The 6-0, 227 pound linebacker recorded 61 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023 this season heading into the national title game. It won't take more than one look at the TV during the big game on Monday for Poles and Eberflus to fall in love with the leadership Barrett showcases on the big stage for Michigan's defense.

230th Overall Pick: WR Jacob Cowing

The Bears are in dire need of adding some wide receivers before entering the 2024 season. Even after free agency and starting off the draft with Harrison Jr., expect to see the Bears add another wide receiver late in the draft.

A quality option could be Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing. Cowing put together incredible seasons throughout his collegiate career at Arizona and UTEP. Cowing had back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons in 2021 and 2022 and caught a career-high 90 receptions and 13 touchdowns in 2023.

Cowing's resume itself might push him higher up the board than this current pick, but he should definitely be on the Bears radar if they're looking to add some late round help at the wide receiver position.