The 2024 NFL Draft is simply 9 days away. Whereas most individuals know Chicago holds the No.1 decide within the draft, many overlook additionally they have the ninth decide. Right here’s who native consultants assume they’ll take at No. 9.
Chicago Tribune (Brad Biggs): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
With USC QB Caleb Williams presumably on the best way and Darnell Mooney set to affix Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, Biggs sees GM Ryan Poles including Washington’s dynamic large receiver.
“If 4 quarterbacks come off the board within the first eight picks, chances are high respectable solely two receivers could have had their names known as. That will put Poles in place to draft one, maybe the bodily and explosive Odunze, who’s coming off a 1,640-yard season with 13 touchdowns for the Huskies.”
Large receiver DJ Moore had a career-best 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the crew whereas tight finish Cole Kmet had a career-high 719 yards with six scores in 2023. The crew additionally traded for six-time Professional Bowler Keenan Allen who had 1,243 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Chargers final 12 months.
If Odunze has wherever close to the manufacturing he had as a Husky, Chicago’s offense could possibly be scary in 2024.
Fox 32 Chicago (Chris Kwiecinski): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Even with a midseason commerce for Washington DE Montez Sweat, the Bears ranked thirty first within the NFL with 30 sacks in 2023. Sweat shortly signed a four-year, $98M contract to remain in Chicago however he may use some assist.
Verse began his faculty profession at Albany earlier than transferring to Florida State in 2022. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive finish had 41 tackles (12.5 for loss) with 11 quarterback hurries, 9 sacks and a compelled fumble final season and even blocked a kick towards LSU.
His numbers have been practically an identical in 2022 (together with a blocked area purpose) making Verse one of many extra constant choices at his place. He’s additionally very robust. Verse bested everybody at his place with 31 reps of 225 kilos on the NFL Scouting Mix, which helps clarify this:
