How the Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft could look without Eddie Jackson

When players on the Chicago Bears cryptic social media posts, the nation gets put on notice. That was the case with Eddie Jackson, as he was not-so-cryptic about his future with the Bears on social media.

Eddie Jackson hints at Chicago Bears journey coming to an end

With a $18.14M cap hit next season, Eddie Jackson would be sitting as a top 10-paid safety in the entire league— eighth to be exact. At his prime, that's worth it. However, as much as it stinks to type out, Eddie Jackson isn't the player he used to be.

Injuries paired with age make this a really tough business to be great at for a long time. The more injuries, paired with the inevitable aging of humans, make the NFL a business players must strike while the iron is hot. Make as much money as possible in the years your body allows players to play the game, but after that, it can be a rapid halt.

After a third season without being able to play a full season— along with Eddie Jackson's social media posts— his time as a Chicago Bear seems to be over.

Releasing Jackson would save the Bears approximately $12.5M, and even though the Bears are loaded with cap space, it's not a smart financial decision to keep paying someone top-of-the-league money when they aren't at the point in their career anymore.

Bo Jack will be remembered fondly by Chicago Bears fans, but his time with the Bears is likely coming to an end this offseason.

So, how do the Chicago Bears move on from Eddie Jackson in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Chicago Bears Mock Draft Preface

In the Pro Football Network's Mock Draft Simulator, NFL fans get to put the hat on as a general manager and draft as if they were in the war room of a true NFL draft. Computer-generated GMs can offer trades, mock drafters can offer trades, and the rest of the draft goes based on probabilities and other mock drafts done in the community.

As has been seen in Ryan Poles' time as the Chicago Bears' general manager, there's no surprise that he likes his draft-day trades.

In this particular mock draft, the Chicago Bears trade down from the No. 1 pick with the Arizona Cardinals. In return for this hypothetical trade, the Bears would receive pick No. 4, 27, 35, 66, a 2025 first-round pick, and a 2026 first-round pick.

To trade down three spots, I was willing to see what these picks could turn into. Mock drafts are meant to experiment. Sure, Caleb Williams is likely the No. 1 pick, but if he isn't, this would be a great haul for that pick if the Bears aren't truly sold on Williams.

That context needed to be added, as it's unlikely the Bears won't draft Caleb Williams. But, if they don't, this would be the type of return it would need to be.

1.04: Joe Alt, OT | Notre Dame

There's a belief within the Chicago Bears fandom that offensive tackle isn't a position of need because Braxton Jones has played well enough to stay there. That could be the case, but when a 6-foot-8 tall, 330-pound offensive tackle with elite athleticism is available at their pick, it'd be a real shocker to see Ryan Poles not draft him.

He's not as "attractive" of a pick as Caleb Williams could be, but Ryan Poles is on the record as saying he cares most about premium positions on his football team, and the top offensive tackle in the draft class is in his realm of premium positions.

"We're always gonna look at pass rushers, we are gonna look at offensive lineman, corners," Poles said. "I always start with the premium positions to see, you know, are we good enough in those? And then move on from there."

If the Chicago Bears trade down from the first overall pick, expect one of those premium positions to be attacked. In this situation, he goes offensive lineman: Joe Alt, offensive tackle.

1.09: Malik Nabers, WR | LSU

As NFL Network's Lance Zierlein predicted in his Mock Draft 1.0, the Chicago Bears added one of the top receivers of the draft — Malik Nabers to pair with D.J. Moore.

And with him available at No. 9, there wasn't any second guessing. Malik Nabers is close to Marvin Harrison Jr. as the No. 1 receiver in this class. Nabers doesn't have the 6-foot-4 height, but he has just about everything else.

When thinking of who I saw when watching Malik Nabers, I had to sit on this for a while to make sure I wasn't overreacting, and I don't believe I am.

While watching Malik Nabers, he truly looks like Antonio Brown on the field. Smaller guy with elite speed and RAC ability. Nabers is also an incredibly gifted route runner. All things are pointing at Malik Nabers being an absolute stud in the NFL, and the Chicago Bears will be able to claim all of that success when they draft him with the No. 9 pick.

1.27: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C | Oregon

At the tail end of the first round, the Chicago Bears get one of the easiest draft selections they could make. One of their biggest needs is center, and Jackson Powers-Johnson is an immediate starter in the NFL.

Powers-Johnson made his case for being the top center in this year's Senior Bowl, and it's become apparent that he's likely to be drafted sometime at the end of the first or start of the second round.

At pick No. 27, this was an easy choice for Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears.

He might not catch passes or score touchdowns, but Jackson Powers-Johnson is one of the best players at his position in this draft. He's an absolute physical specimen who was put on this earth to play football in a mean way.

Off the field, he looks like a super nice guy. Once those pads are put on, however, Jackson Powers-Johnson turns massive men into pancakes. He plays the game with a physicality that can't be faked. There's no doubt in the minds of those who have ever watched Jackson Powers-Johnson on whether he loves football or not. It's a resounding yes.

2.33: Tyler Nubin, S | Minnesota

At the top of the second round, the Chicago Bears get their Eddie Jackson replacement in Tyler Nubin from Minnesota. Nubin is a bigger guy, coming in at 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds. Compared to Eddie Jackson coming out of Alabama, however, they're relatively close in size.

Nubin, however, is in a completely different league as a prospect than Bo Jack was.

Tyler Nubin is one of the top safeties in the draft, and it's not surprising as to why that scouts think so. Nubin is a true ball hawk, and for a team that preaches turnovers, Tyler Nubin is well-versed.

Nubin is a five-year player for the Minnesota Gophers, and in that time, he was truly all over the ball.

In terms of an Eddie Jackson replacement, Tyler Nubin would fit in perfectly alongside Jaquan Brisker on the Chicago Bears defense. Nubin is more of a zone safety, but he has the skills to play downhill if needed. Whether asked to turn the ball over or make a tackle, he'll be well-equipped to do either.

3.66: Darius Robinson, EDGE | Mizzou

In a draft where the Chicago Bears and Ryan Poles once again leave with more picks than he came in with, Darius Robinson is in the realm of possibilities. Even here at pick No. 66, Robinson could be gone. He, along with Jackson Powers-Johnson, were two of the biggest risers at the Senior Bowl, and their draft stock will be proof of that.

Robinson will likely make his money in the league as a 5-tech, which bodes well for the Bears and their 4-3 defense. Montez Sweat on one side, Darius Robinson on the other. That would be a match made in heaven, and the Chicago Bears could do so in this draft.

The Bears lack pass-rushers outside of the recently acquired Montez Sweat, so grabbing one earlier in the draft is something the Bears could certainly benefit from. Other positions could be at play, but given how lackluster Eberflus' pass rush has been with the Bears, it could be time to go get a stud at the position.

They don't call him Darius 'STUD' Robinson for nothing. Well, they don't call him that at all, but I do. Oh, yeah! Robinson also got a J.J. Watt comparison. Not too shabby for the future Bear.

3.75: Christian Haynes, OG | UConn

In their second of two third-round picks, the Chicago Bears beef up their offensive line with needed talent on the interior. JPJ will man the center position, and Teven Jenkins will be a guard, which leaves another guard spot open. Nate Davis could be a veteran presence, but as for starters, he shouldn't be seeing too many reps next season.

Haynes also has experience kicking inside to center, which should give the Bears even more conviction to draft him. Depth at the offensive line position is crucial, especially with Teven Jenkins.

Jenkins is an incredible interior lineman, however, he hasn't been able to stay healthy his entire career. That's not a knock on Teven Jenkins, but is is a part of his evaluation. Christian Haynes, if not a starter, would be an incredible option to develop into a true starter. The skills are there, they just need to be fine-tuned.

Haynes is also a bit undersized, but it's not overly noticeable in his tape. He's extremely strong, and that helps with his smaller build of 6-foot-2, 318 pounds.

4.110: Cam Hart, CB | Notre Dame

With one of their final picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears add depth to their secondary by selecting Cam Hart out of Notre Dame.

Jaylon Johnson and the Chicago Bears are at a crossroads with contract negotiations, however, it seems like a deal will get done between the two. That said, Cam Hart would be a great addition to the Bears' secondary regardless.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 204 pounds, Hart has impressive length at his position. He's a big, physical corner who could play opposite of Jaylon Johnson with Kyler Gordon being their slot guy.

There might not be an immediate spot for Cam Hart, but with what he does bring to the table, there's a lot of potential. Potential doesn't mean anything unless it's reached, but with the intangibles he possesses, there's a road map to success for Cam Hart in the NFL. It might even be with the Chicago Bears.

4.122: Javon Baker, WR | UFC

Considering the talent in this class at the wide receiver position, there will be some really talented receivers who drop because of that. Javon Baker could be a victim of that, and the Chicago Bears should strike if so.

Baker has a catch radius that doesn't seem to have an end. When catching footballs is a major job duty for wide receivers, that's an eye-opener. Javon Baker is going to be a true steal for one lucky team in the NFL draft. Since Ryan Poles is probably reading this, "Hey Ryan! Go ahead and draft Javon Baker out of UCF. You'll be happy you did." Alright, that should do the trick.

Outside of D.J. Moore — and Malik Nabers from earlier in this draft — the Bears have a true need for receivers. Darnell Mooney hits free agency this season, so he could be suiting up for a different team at the start of this upcoming season.

The Chicago Bears will also likely attract wide receivers in free agency, which should help. Michael Pittman Jr. and/or Calvin Ridley would be incredible additions in free agency, but you can't have too many receivers.