With 17 days left before the Bears make their first selection in the 2024 draft, Ryan Poles finds himself in an enviable position. He has the luxury of picking one of several blue-chip prospects when the ninth pick is on the clock.
Poles has made it clear they have narrowed their choice to one of three positions; a wide receiver to complement DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, an Edge rusher to provide a one-two punch on the defensive line, or an offensive lineman to bolster the front five. Poles can take the best available WR, Edge, or OT/C at 1.09, or depending on how the draft unfolds, he can trade down a few spots and still grab one of those top prospects.
The Bears have met, or will meet the following players. This list includes Team 30 meetings as well as visits at Pro Days and local prospects who are not counted against the team’s allotment of 30 visits.
Wide Receivers
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The top three receivers are Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. All will have been to Halas Hall for a visit by the end of this week.
Other WRs the Bears have talked to include Xavier Worthy who stunned everyone by running a 4.21 40 at the Combine, Ladd McConkey, Jha’Quan Jackson, Brendan Rice, Cam Johnson, and Josh Cephus.
Edge
The Bears will meet three of the top 4 Edge prospects in Lake Forest: Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, and Chop Robinson. They have also met with Jared Verse, Adisa Isaac, Chris Braswell, Jaylen Harrell, Maema Njongmeta, Javaontae Jean-Baptiste, Jeblonski Green Jr., and Justin Blazek.
Offensive Line
The top names of Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, and Troy Fautanu are not on the Bears’ list of team 30 meetings, but Poles and company did meet with them at the Combine or their Pro Day. Here is the list of linemen on the “30” list: OT Tyler Guyton, IOL Graham Barton, OT Kiran Amegadjie, and C Zach Frazier.
