The Bears could have a conundrum at the quarterback spot on their hands in the offseason, but I have a solution.
In this mock, the Bears do what is probably best for the future of the team and Justin Fields himself: They trade him to give him a fresh start, and get some early picks in the process. Given how hyped the quarterback class is, Chicago -- likely holders of two top five picks -- shouldn't pass on a young, talented and inexpensive option at the game's most vital position.
Here's the mock trade I've conjured.
Raiders get: QB Justin Fields, 2025 fifth-round pick
Bears get: No. 43 overall (second-round pick) and conditional 2025 third-round pick that becomes a second-round pick if Fields plays 75% of the 2024 snaps.
Important: The draft order is based on all the games played through Week 12. Thanks to Tankathon for compiling it.
No ad available
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
From
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 1
Drake Maye
QB
North Carolina
• 6'4"
/ 225 lbs
After the Fields trade, the Bears have their sights set on the quarterback market in the draft and land on Maye, a polished, multiple-year starter with mobility and a strong arm.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Ohio State
• 6'4"
/ 205 lbs
The Cardinals get Murray a serious No. 1 on the perimeter with Harrison Jr.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
USC
• 6'1"
/ 215 lbs
This is about as good as the Patriots could've hoped for the draft to fall. Williams has franchise-quarterback capabilities.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Laiatu Latu
EDGE
UCLA
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
Latu is the most NFL-ready rusher in the class. Strong, bendy, explosive. Perfect addition to the Bears defensive front.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
Penn State
• 6'6"
/ 312 lbs
Fashanu has All-Pro tackle upside and building the offensive line is imperative entering Sam Howell's second full season as Washington's starter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 6
LSU
• 6'4"
/ 210 lbs
Daniels is my pick for largest riser during the pre-draft process. Big recruit, super athletic, strong arm, two big seasons in the SEC. Yeah, it checks out.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
Chop Robinson
EDGE
Penn State
• 6'3"
/ 254 lbs
Robinson is a special athlete at a premium position, and the Buccaneers need to get younger at that spot.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Illinois
• 6'2"
/ 295 lbs
It feels like Newton is going to test through the roof at the combine, and he's quite easily the best interior pass rusher in the class.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Malik Nabers
WR
LSU
• 6'0"
/ 200 lbs
Nabers is an explosive three-level weapon, which is precisely what this Titans offense needs.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
Alabama
• 5'11"
/ 199 lbs
McKinstry is the exact cornerback the Raiders need in the secondary. Physical, alpha mentality on the perimeter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 12
Brock Bowers
TE
Georgia
• 6'4"
/ 230 lbs
The Saints are desperately in need of more electricity on offense. And Bowers would bring that at the tight end position.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Oregon State
• 6'6"
/ 324 lbs
Fuaga is a massive human being who moves other human beings with amazing ease. He feels like a future Packer.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 14
Nate Wiggins
CB
Clemson
• 6'1"
/ 182 lbs
Wiggins is another explosive, playmaking cornerback from Clemson. The Rams have to add more athleticism to the secondary.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Rome Odunze
WR
Washington
• 6'3"
/ 215 lbs
The Bengals get the top big-bodied wideout in the class after Harrison Jr.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Miami (FL)
• 5'11"
/ 207 lbs
Kinchens is the premier three-down safety, and he's an athletic specimen to be selected this high. Buffalo will be in the safety market early in the draft.
| |||
From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 17
Jared Verse
EDGE
Florida State
• 6'4"
/ 260 lbs
After getting a top-tier offensive playmaker in Harrison Jr., the Cardinals get a dynamic, powerful, flexible edge rusher in Verse.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
Iowa
• 6'0"
/ 198 lbs
DeJean is a big play waiting to happen in the secondary, and the Falcons need more of that at cornerback.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
Dallas Turner
EDGE
Alabama
• 6'3"
/ 247 lbs
The Colts get an advanced and explosive edge rusher to help anchor the defensive front.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 22
Duke
• 6'5"
/ 314 lbs
Barton would bring polish and grittiness up front in Seattle.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 23
Kalen King
CB
Penn State
• 5'11"
/ 190 lbs
It's a Penn State reunion in the Steelers secondary. Joey Porter Jr. and King usher in a new, lockdown era at cornerback in Pittsburgh.
| |||
From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 24
Bralen Trice
EDGE
Washington
• 6'4"
/ 227 lbs
Trice is an ultra-refined pass-rush move karate master with his hands who'd generate a fun pairing with Will Anderson on the edge in Houston.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
Arizona
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
Morgan is a sizable, athletic pass-pro specialist who could be worked seamlessly into Miami's offense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
Miami (FL)
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
Taylor is too naturally talented for the Cowboys to pass on him here. Would be a fun addition inside defensively for Dallas.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Minnesota
• 6'2"
/ 210 lbs
Nubin is a do-everything safety prospect who has pieced together another fine season at Minnesota.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Emeka Egbuka
WR
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
Egbuka would add more advanced wideout talent to the Jacksonville offense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
South Carolina
• 6'3"
/ 227 lbs
Legette is the gritty YAC monster the Chiefs would love in their offense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
Amarius Mims
OT
Georgia
• 6'8"
/ 350 lbs
Mims is a Project Y-type tackle prospect with the length and athleticism Kyle Shanahan will like for the future of a vital position.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
JT Tuimoloau
EDGE
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 269 lbs
Tuimoloau is the sizable defensive end the Ravens typically gravitate toward in the draft.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Jonah Elliss
DE
Utah
• 6'2"
/ 246 lbs
Elliss is an emerging edge rusher in this class and the Eagles will want to continue to prepare for the future at that position.
|