Bears 2024 NFL Mock Draft: The New Year brings hope with a bang

When the Bears are on the clock next at no. 9 overall, they will once again trade out of that pick. This time, it's the Cincinnati Bengals who come calling.

Chicago ends up moving down to pick no. 18 in the first round, but they also net a second rounder and a fourth rounder in the process.

With that late first rounder, Chicago adds another top-tier pass rusher to go alongside Montez Sweat. Florida State standout edge prospect Jared Verse is one of the top four or five pass rushers in this class, and depending on which outlet or expert you trust, he could be ranked as high as no. 1.

This class of pass first-round pass rushers is extremely deep, thus moving down this far shouldn't be a problem. Verse gives the Bears a sure-fire, Day 1 starter on the other side of Sweat.

Standing 6-foot-4, 249 pounds, Verse gives me some Georgia Bulldog Leonard Floyd vibes. He's lighning fast off the line of scrimmage and brings a ton of speed and athleticism to the position. Verse has an arsenal of pass rush moves that mostly include quick movements that can catch opposing tackles way off guard. He is ultra-fast with his hands and feet and can be unpredictable at times, which makes him an exciting player to watch.

Over his two years with the Seminoles, Verse accumulated 29.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks.