The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. 1 and No. 9 pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. Going into the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans had the No. 2 pick and the No. 12 pick in the first round. There we have it: Our first comparison of the two teams. That's not where they should end, though.
After selecting C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick, the Texans made a trade for the following pick from the Cardinals. To acquire pick No. 3, it cost: the No. 12 pick, the No. 33 pick, and a first and third-round pick in 2024. This trade resulted in them leaving the first round with C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson.
To some, these were the two best players in the draft, and the Texans were able to walk out of the NFL Draft knowing they have, at bare minimum, two players who could turn their franchise around. And that they did.
The Chicago Bears should mimic the Houston Texans' 2023 NFL Draft, trade up for Marvin Harrison Jr.
So, how can the Chicago Bears follow suit if there's not a Will Anderson this draft? Well, there is a Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr., son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., is one of the most highly touted prospects in this NFL Draft. In 38 games as a Buckeye, Marvin Harrison Jr. accumulated 155 receptions, 2,613 yards, and 31 TDs. Had this class not had Caleb Williams, he could be seen as the No. 1 pick without much debate.
There is, however, a Caleb Williams in this draft, so Marvin Harrison Jr. probably isn't being drafted with the first pick, but could he be taken with the second or third pick if the Chicago Bears trade for it?
i’m really curious what it’d take to move from 1.09 to 1.03…
— dakota 🏈 (@DakotaKnowsBall) February 2, 2024
i really dont think it’s unrealistic to think #DaBears can’t move up from 9 to draft marvin harrison jr. at 3
1.01: caleb williams
1.03: marvin harrison jr
the rest of the draft: literally doesn’t matter
SB LIX 🏆 pic.twitter.com/n8xTqpvcC3
Caleb Williams is probably the selection for the Chicago Bears at No. 1, but the likelihood of who follows isn't as certain. The Commanders will, probably, take Drake Maye if Caleb Williams gets taken first, so the Bears would likely be trading with the Patriots at No. 3.
There's smoke behind a potential Justin Fields trade to New England, and if there's interest on both sides, that makes this trade even easier.
Chicago Bears fans and fans across the NFL saw how the Houston Texans performed by taking two of the best players in the NFL Draft last year. If the Chicago Bears want to succeed in this league, it takes talent. Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. would bring just that to the Chicago Bears.