The 2024 NFL Draft is simply 9 days away. Whereas most individuals know Chicago holds the No.1 choose within the draft, many overlook in addition they have the ninth choose. Right here’s who native specialists suppose 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 vast receiver.
“If 4 quarterbacks come off the board within the first eight picks, likelihood is respectable solely two receivers may have had their names known as. That may 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.”
Extensive receiver DJ Moore had a career-best 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the workforce whereas tight finish Cole Kmet had a career-high 719 yards with six scores in 2023. The workforce 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 anyplace close to the manufacturing he had as a Husky, Chicago’s offense might 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 rapidly 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 pressured fumble final season and even blocked a kick in opposition to LSU.
His numbers had been practically similar in 2022 (together with a blocked subject 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:
