The Bears ranked last in the NFL in sacks in 2023, so targeting an edge rusher may be high on their to-do list next April. Tuimoloau was the fourth-ranked prospect in the 2021 recruiting cycle. He was absolutely dominant against Penn State (two sacks and two interceptions including one returned for a score). If he puts it all together and has the breakout season that many expect, Tuimoloau will likely be a top-10 selection in 2024.
The Bears added D.J. Moore (via trade) and Tyler Scott (via draft), but both Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool will be free agents after the upcoming season. While Harrison Jr. is the clear WR1 in the 2024 class, Egbuka is very talented and not too far behind him. The former five-star recruit is a good route-runner with good size (6-1, 205) and speed. He finished last season with 74 catches for 1,151 receiving yards, added 87 rushing yards and scored 12 total touchdowns.
The Bears have two picks in the top 11 here, and after essentially ignoring the edge rush in the 2023 draft, they will likely be going that direction early in '24. The Bears' 20 sacks ranked at the bottom of the league last year, and they traded Robert Quinn at midseason. Tuimoloau is coming off a breakout year with the Buckeyes (only 3.5 sacks but 27 pressures and 12 tackles for loss) and will only keep getting better. He looks the part, too, at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds.
The Bears are back on the clock, and I think they could look closely at this receiver class. The only pass-catchers under contract beyond 2023 are DJ Moore and Velus Jones Jr. Odunze needs to keep developing, but with Michael Penix Jr. back under center next season in Washington, the wideout has a good chance to take the next step. Odunze is a big receiver at 6-foot-3 and finished 10th in receiving last season with 1,145 yards. Chicago must continue to build the supporting cast around Justin Fields.
One of the top recruits in the country three years ago, Tuimoloau started to live up to the hype last season (watch the Penn State tape). He has intriguing physical abilities, and scouts are eager to see his technical development as a junior.
Mahogany is another player returning from a knee injury, so scouts are eager to see him back on the field in 2023. He popped on the tape when I scouted Zion Johnson two years ago, and he will be trying to follow in his former teammate's footsteps as a potential first-rounder.
Verse, the Albany transfer, was dominant for the Seminoles before a knee injury slowed him midway through the '22 season. He's a twitched-up athlete who'll look to improve on his first year in the ACC.
The Bears nabbed one of my favorite blockers in the 2023 draft with Darnell Wright, but his physical style of play seems best suited at right tackle. Fashanu, on the other hand, is going to be a top-10 pick next spring as a potential Pro Bowl blindside blocker.
It was the Illinois secondary that starred in the 2023 NFL draft — with three members of the defensive backfield getting selected within the first 66 picks — but Newton's ability to wreak havoc inside played a key role. Longtime Bears fans might be reminded of Tommie Harris with the way that Newton has generated 19 tackles for loss over his first three seasons.
The Chicago Bears addressed the offensive line, cornerback and interior of their defensive line in the 2023 draft. Now, they get a chance to add a difference-maker on the edge. At 6-foot-4, 267 pounds, Trice is a big-edge defender, who dominated in his first year as a full-time starter for the Huskies. He's a power rusher with great hand usage and a relentless motor.
General manager Ryan Poles has emphasized the importance of building the Bears from the inside out and holds true to that with this selection. J.T. Tuimoloau has the ability to play the run and provide production rushing the passer. The Bears need guys who can get after the quarterback, and this will help them keep building toward that.
The Bears took two interior defensive linemen on Day 2, now they need to find some juice along the edge. Turner has been overshadowed by Will Anderson Jr. the last two years, but he's a star in his own right. Since 2021, Turner's 14 sacks are tied for the second-most among returning Power Five edge defenders.
Even on a team with Joey Porter Jr., King was the true star in Penn State's secondary. He led all corners in the country with a 93.3 grade and 18.3 passer rating allowed in single-coverage. King's 15 forced incompletions in single-coverage were tied for third as well.
He's a blazing fast athlete set to keep Ohio State's string of devastating NFL wideouts intact. He's not quite Marvin Harrison Jr., but he's a field-stretching threat with good size and the speed to outrun safety help over the top. The Bears got an alpha WR from Carolina when they added D.J. Moore. With Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool each facing free agency, they use another pick gleaned from that trade to add more wideout help.
Both Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool will be free agents in 2024. Mooney will likely be an extension candidate, while Claypool's future is less certain. If either fails to pan out, Worthy would be a proper running mate for D.J. Moore. While offensive line remains a concern, the run of top 12 tackles instead gives Justin Fields another target in the passing game.
For all of the reshuffling the Bears' defense underwent this offseason, Ryan Poles didn't make a splashy move at edge rusher, instead signing DeMarcus Walker to a reasonable deal. An answer could be waiting next year in Verse, an Albany transfer who flourished at Florida State last season with nine sacks and 17 tackles for a loss. The 6-4, 248-pounder had a chance to crack the first round this year but instead returned to school.
Even after bringing on two Day 2 defensive tackles this year in Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens, Eberflus and Poles might have a difficult time resisting an explosive talent along the front four. Though undersized at 6-2 and 285 pounds, Hall is a lot for any blocker to handle thanks to his quickness and tenacity. After tying for the team lead in sacks (4 1frac2;) despite seeing limited time due to a shoulder injury, Hall could be poised to wreak havoc this fall.