Today was LSU’s Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, . Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as well as wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers.
If you’ve been following along with BN’s pre-draft coverage, the name Malik Nabers is probably familiar to you. The unanimous All-American receiver is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons at LSU. And his most recent work has shot up up the NFL Draft boards. Nabers is coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard, 14-touchdown season in 2023 that has put him in a place where he’s been mocked to go to the Chicago Bears with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in more mock dꦛrafts than I care to remember.
Unfortunately, I think this blazing 40-yard dash effort might move him up a few 𝓀spots on some draft boards. And, ultimately, out of a spot where the Bears could draft him with their second top-10 pick of the first round:
Oh, my. Malik Nabers putting up a 4.35-second unoffic꧅ial 40-yard dash time is impressive as heck. But in a league where speed kills, Nabers posting a ridiculo🐻us time is the type of thing that will move him up draft boards.
If that is how the cookie crumbles, we’ll need to adjust our expectations regarding who could be available for the Bears at No. 9. Because I can easily envision scenarios where teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons could target Nabers before Chicago even goes on the clock. If I’m preparing for this possibility, I imagine the Bears are doing the same.
OK, so you’re probably thinking if the bad news is that Nabers won’t be available with the ninth pick, then there has to be some good news in a silver lining because Luis doesn’t do these types of exercises without that sliver of hope. And if that is where your mind went, I appreciate your readership because you know me well. Plus, you’re right! There *IS* a silver lining. Allow me the runway to write through it.
Where can the Bears turn if Malik Nabers isn’t available at pick No. 9?
Let’s take Matt’s latest mock draft as an example of what could happen if Nabers goes early. In this mock, Nabers lands with the New York Giants at the No. 6 pick. Shortly after that, the Titans turn to Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. After that, the Falcons reel in Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner. This leav🐽es the Bears with the No. 9 pick and the following prospects on the Board:
Matt has the Bears taking Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth pick. I’d be plenty happy with that selection if that is the path Bears General Manager Ryan Poles decides on taking. But as you can see from the top available prospects listed above, it isn’t Poles’ only path if he chooses to stick with the No. 9 pick. Heck, he doesn’t even need to do that if he doesn’t want to do so. Poles could be in a position to leverage the available talent on the board for a possible trade-back.
On draft night in 2023, the Bears moved back one spot in a trade with the Eagles, gained a 2024 fourth-round pick, and still snagged offensive tackle Darnell Wright. Maybe there is a team that wants to move up for a tight end like Bowers. Perhaps an overzealous GM wants to jump the market on an offensive tackle run and leapfrog teams to get their guy. There could be a team that sees a top-heavy edge class and wants to take a swing at Jared Verse. We could go from being bummed out about missing on Nabers to surprisingly surprised if the right trade-back offer hits Ryan Poles’ inbox.
At a minimum, I’m open to a scenario like this playing out for the Bears. This draft could go in a number of different directions. But with how the Bears have built out the roster, they don’t have to go in any specific direction based on need. Maybe now Chicago’s football team can do what the most well-run organizations do on draft weekend — and that is pick the best player available regardless of position.
There are only 29 days left until tꦺhe NFL Draft. Soon the speculation will end. And while it 🌳might not be soon enough for some, just know that the time is coming. Tick, tock. The Chicago Bears will soon be on the clock.
