Recent news paints a grim picture for the Chicago Bears' plans this offseason

Finding a top WR in the 2024 NFL Draft may be difficult for the Bears

It isn't official, but the Chicago Bears are most likely trading Justin Fields and drafting Caleb Williams. To do this, Ryan Poles will need to use the first-overall pick on Williams. I don't have a problem with that decision should Poles choose to go that route, but landing a top wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft is not going to be easy despite still owning the ninth-overall pick.

Using the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, we ran a full, seven-round mock draft at The Halas Huddle and it felt as though we were chasing the wide receiver position. In a previous episode, we mocked free agency for the Chicago Bears and signed Curtis Samuel to a reasonable contract. We built off that episode with this mock draft and we were hoping that one of the top wide receivers would fall to nine. That did not happen.

4. Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR - Ohio State

Easily the top wide receiver in the draft. No, Malik Nabers nor Rome Odunze are a better prospect. I have Marvin Harrison, Jr. as the top prospect overall and the chances of Chicago landing him if they take Caleb Williams with the first pick in the draft is basically zero.

5. Malik Nabers, WR - LSU

While doing the mock draft, Malik Nabers was the next receiver to come off the board. He went fifth overall to the Los Angeles Chargers. Would Ryan Poles trade up for Nabers if he ranks him high enough? Moving up could cost him a big chunk of the draft capital he has gained and I don't see it happening.

6. Rome Odunze, WR - Washington

Rome Odunze wowed fans at the NFL Combine this year. Pairing him with DJ Moore and Caleb Williams would make for a fantastic one-two punch. The problem is that Tennessee drafted Odunze at seven, leaving none of the top receivers for the Chicago Bears when they were on the clock at nine.

Now, this is only one mock. Millions are run during the offseason and the only one that matters is the actual NFL Draft in April. In this scenario, only two quarterbacks went in the top nine picks and only one offensive tackle. Two corners went but that's because we traded down from nine to 15 and the Colts moved up for a corner. I'd expect a minimum of three quarterbacks to go in the top five and it's possible we may see four go in the top 10. There is a slim chance that one of Nabers or Odunze fall to nine and the Chicago Bears can run up to the podium. However, it's just as likely none are available.

If the Chicago Bears don't spend big at wide receiver in free agency and they cannot land a top wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, I would like to see them double-up at the WR position in the draft. The problem is, now that Ryan Poles just sent a fifth-round pick for OL Ryan Bates, the team only has five draft picks left. As you can see, Ryan Poles' job is starting to look more difficult.

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