Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Justin Fields gets huge vote of confidence

When the Bears are on the clock again at no. 9, the New York Jets come calling. This is an easy decision, very similar to what the Bears did last year with Philadelphia.

After moving back just one spot, the Bears opt to pair one of the draft's top edge rushers with Montez Sweat, immediately making this defense much-improved.

UCLA's Laiatu Latu might set off some red flags for those fans who know his health history. On one hand, he could be considered a walking miracle after recovering from a serious neck injury. He was told that he'd never play football again, and now he comes in as maybe the nastiest, pure pass rusher this draft has to offer.

Latu plays the position the way it's supposed to be played. If the Bears are simply looking for one more guy who can go get the quarterback, then they've found it. That's what Latu does best. Every snap, he has it in his mind that he's going to wreak havoc until he finds the quarterback.

Watching his tape, Latu is as pure a pass rusher as you'll find in his class. He is a thoroughbred. The man can wreck a play by himself in a hurry, and if you're picturing what he could do alongside Sweat like I am, the idea of these two playing together might just bring tears of joy. Sweat and Latu, together, would be a violent pairing.

Over his last two seasons with the Bruins, Latu has totaled 23.5 sacks and 34.0 total tackles for loss.