The Chicago Bears dominated Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
It couldn't have gotten much better than Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. Bears fans might not know what to do with themselves, but the point is, the fan base should be absolutely thrilled.
Knowing Williams is walking into one of the best-ever situations for a rookie quarterback should have Bears fans ready to start thinking Super Bowl, and that's by no means an exaggeration.
But, before we start metaphorically hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, we have the rest of the draft to get through. Now, when it comes to the best-available players for the Bears to choose from in the second and third rounds, who's still out there?
Best available players for the Bears to choose from on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Any of the above players would be very unlikely to find at pick no. 75, which is where the Bears' next pick comes. They do not own a second rounder, therefore in order to land any of the guys here, the Bears would undoubtedly need to trade up.
Fortunately, Ryan Poles has never been shy about making trades. He even said, earlier in the week, that he was comfortable with the amount of picks the Bears currently had (four) and would have even been fine with less, considering all the work they've done to this roster.
Should Poles want to trade up into the second round, my belief is that it would be for a player like Jackson Powers-Johnson out of Oregon, who would fill the long-term need at center rather than betting on one of Ryan Bates or Coleman Shelton.
Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton is also worth trading up for and would fill a massive need for the Bears. You could argue either Adisa Isaac or Chris Braswell would be worthy of moving up for as well, maybe in the latter part of the second round. Chicago does still need to add another pass rusher, and either one of them would be ideal picks for Chicago to pair with Montez Sweat.
Chicago probably won't move up for a wide receiver or cornerback, considering they are set with their starters at both groups. But, crazier things have happened.