Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 1.0

DRAFT DAY TRADE:

• Bears Receive: Pick Nos. 17, 48, 152, 195
• Jaguars Receive: Pick No. 9

If Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers are available at No. 9, I'm confident Ryan Poles would pull the trigger. Alas, they were off the board in this mock draft, so trading back was an easy decision.

Round 1, Pick 17 (via Jacksonville): UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu

With such a deep wide receiver class, the Bears could wait until the second round to address the position if they can't land one of the top three prospects. There's a much more significant dropoff from the top pass rushers to the second and third tiers. Latu is one of the most productive pass rushers to come out of college in years. He's a technician with his hands and tested as a better athlete than most expected. The only question mark is his medicals. Then again, if he had clean medicals, he might not be available at pick No. 17.

Round 2, Pick 34 (via New England): Georgia WR Ladd McConkey

I was always planning on picking the best wide receiver to fall into my lap with this pick. And in this scenario, it just so happens to be one of my favorite prospects. McConkey doesn't possess great size, but he's an advanced route runner who can get open at all three levels of the field. He combines craftiness and reliability as a route runner with elite athleticism (4.39 40-yard dash). McConkey may never be a true No. 1, but he won't have to be with DJ Moore already in tow.

Round 2, Pick 48 (via Jacksonville): Georgia Safety Javon Bullard

We return to the defensive side of the ball with the next pick. Ryan Poles loves using second-round picks on defensive backs, and safety is a massive need for the Bears after releasing Eddie Jackson. Bullard has a tremendous all-around skill set to play any role the Bears ask of him. His instincts in zone coverage make him an ideal safety valve on the back end. Still, he also possesses fluid hips and above-average athleticism to drop down closer to the line of scrimmage and cover slot receivers. Matt Eberflus will love his physical style of play as well.

Round 4, Pick 111: UCF WR Javon Baker

This is such a deep wide receiver class that the Bears would be foolish not to take advantage and select two wideouts. In any other year, Baker would be discussed as a second-round pick, but it's been difficult for the second- and third-tier wide receivers to truly separate themselves from the pack.

Baker is a true alpha X wide receiver who can beat press and separate deep despite not having game-changing speed (4.54 forty-yard dash), as evidenced by his 21.4 yards/reception, the second-highest mark in the nation. His route-running nuance and ability at the catch point make him a relatively safe prospect.

Round 4, Pick 123: Washington OT Roger Rosengarten

Rosengarten, like Baker, is another overlooked player due to a deep position group. Maybe even more so than wide receiver, this year's tackle class is an embarrassment of riches, which will cause a talented player to be available way later than they should. Rosengarten has all the traits to be a solid offensive tackle in the NFL. He can serve as a swing tackle immediately while also providing insurance in case Braxton Jones doesn't continue to develop.

Round 5, Pick 136 (via New England): Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott

The Bears don't have a massive need at tight end with Cole Kmet, the incumbent starter, locked in on a contract extension. But they badly need depth, and new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron loves to utilize multiple tight ends. Sinnott could be the Bears' move tight end who can line up in the backfield, inline, or in the slot. He's a coordinated athlete who could develop into a reliable receiver in time. The Kansas State prosuct also has played some fullback.

Round 5, Pick 152 (via Jacksonville): New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube

Laube would give the Bears' backfield the third-down receiving threat that's currently missing. He'll probably never be a premier back, but he can be a mismatch as a receiver both out of the backfield and in the slot. Laube also provides excellent kick and punt return ability.

Round 6, Pick 195: Penn State iOL Hunter Nourzad

Nearing the end of the draft, I wanted to focus on offensive line depth as it's something you can never have too much of. The Bears traded for Ryan Bates but still need someone they can develop as a long-term starter. Nourzad played pretty much every position on the offensive line in college, but his best fit is on the interior in the NFL. He should be able to play both guard and center, which makes him a perfect option here. If I were an NFL general manager, I'd feel comfortable selecting Nourzad much higher than this. He has NFL starting potential.

Round 7, Pick 229 (via New England): TCU OL Brandon Coleman

And we round out the draft with another offensive lineman. Coleman had a stellar 2022 season but his play suffered due to injuries in 2023. When he was fully healthy, his athleticism and power jumped off the tape. Coleman has experience at tackle and guard in college, and I believe he can excel in either spot. It may take a year or two, but he has the potential to be a starter in the NFL if he can clean up his hand use.