The Chicago Bears took care of some important business this past week. GM Ryan Poles traded his 2nd round pick in the 2024 draft for veteran pass rusher Montez Sweat. A few days later, the team successfully locked the 27-year-old up to a four-year extension worth $98 million. It is a major boost to a defensive line that is by far the worst in the NFL at pressuring the quarterback. This development enables Poles to shift his focus toward two objectives. One is working to extend cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The other is figuring out what to do with his two 1st round picks next April.
Projections to this point seem straightforward. With Chicago controlling the #2 and #3 picks courtesy of their 2-6 record and the Carolina Panthers’ 1-6 record, the team is expected to use one selection on a top quarterback and the other on wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. However, there are nine games left in the season. Things change fast in this league. There is a good chance those pick positions will change. That means Poles is wise to make sure he has a good idea of every potential player he may have to consider.
According to one source, there is a name that is rising up the Bears’ draft board faster than most. That is Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.
The Chicago Bears may wish to double down at edge rusher.
Adding Sweat would seem to send the message that Poles prefers to focus those two 1st round picks on offense. That isn’t a surprise. They may need a quarterback and have lingering question marks at wide receiver and offensive tackle. Both positions are strong at the top of this class. However, there is no such thing as too many pass rushers. The front four getting heat on the quarterback is essential in this 4-3 defensive scheme. Yannick Ngakoue is a free agent next year. Perhaps the Bears feel adding a 1st round talent across from Sweat would be a great way to finally solve that problem.
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Turner is undoubtedly a worthwhile draft crush to have. Prominent analyst Dane Brugler rated him as the 7th-best prospect in the 2024 class. He’s 6’4, 245 lbs, athletic, explosive, and displays a relentless motor. In 33 career games with Alabama, he has 19.5 sacks and 28.5 tackles for a loss. When the tape and production line up with a player as they do with Turner, it is a safe assumption he will be an excellent pro. This will come down to where the Chicago Bears end up picking. If one of their picks drifts outside the top-5, Turner will be considered.
