Chicago Bears should have interest in these offensive linemen in the first round

The Chicago Bears have been linked to plenty of positions with the number nine overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. While they have bigger needs at wide receiver and edge rusher, and the difference in prospect is likely not big enough to warrant a tackle in the top ten, one situation that would be best is trading down and then going offensive line. 

Of course, this means they will miss out on Joe Alt, the top tackle in the class. However, the point is that while Alt is typically viewed as the consensus best option, he is not head and shoulders above some of the other names. 

Beyond that, trading back puts them in a situation where names like Graham Barton, Taliese Fuaga, and Troy Fautanu become interesting. These linemen are worth bringing up because many viewed them as interior lineman prospects, even though they played tackle in college. 

The Chicago Bears should draft an offensive lineman if they trade down in the 2024 NFL Draft

So, while the pick could be signaling a change from Braxton Jones, it could just as easily be about adding someone who could replace Teven Jenkins or Nate Davis, two players who struggled to show any consistency last season. 

In the case of Fautanu, they could start him at one of the guard spots, and then if Jones struggles, gets hurt, or the team is comfortable with the move, they could shift him to left tackle. The added options make these players more intriguing, especially in a trade-down scenario, which means that they will be adding more assets and can address receiver and edge rusher at other points. 

The Bears sitting at nine and taking a tackle may not be the best move, but they could be players for any sort of offensive line option if they trade down.