The 2023 NFL regular season concluded on Sunday, solidifying the 2024 NFL draft order. The Chicago Bears will have the No. 1 overall pick following a 3-14 season. Here is a look at the current draft order for the first round as well as a breakdown of which players and positions the Bears could target with their top selection.
Bears Finish With Worst Record to Secure Top Pick
Despite defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, the Bears could not escape the NFC North basement. Their 29-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Sunday’s season finale cemented a 3-14 record for Chicago, the worst in the NFL.
This will give second-year GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus the first crack at prospects in April’s draft. Many expect the Bears to use the top choice to finally solidify their quarterback situation after struggles from Justin Fields in 2023.
Commanders, Patriots Round Out Top 3
The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots will pick second and third overall, respectively. The Commanders also finished with a 3-14 mark while the Patriots ended at 4-13. Both teams have question marks at quarterback and could be in the market for a new signal caller.
Other teams rounding out the top 10 as of now:
| Draft Position | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) | 5-12 |
| 5 | Indianapolis Colts | 5-12 |
| 6 | Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams) | 8-9 |
| 7 | Las Vegas Raiders | 6-11 |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | 7-10 |
| 9 | Carolina Panthers | 7-10 |
| 10 | Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans) | 10-7 |
The final 12 first-round spots will be determined by the NFL playoffs.
Plenty of High-End QB Talent Available
Most mock drafts have the Bears selecting a quarterback with the first overall pick. The 2024 draft class is expected to be loaded with elite talents like Caleb Williams (USC), Will Levis (Kentucky), and Anthony Richardson (Florida). If Fields shows improvement next season, Chicago could also trade down with a QB-needy team and acquire more draft capital.
WR, DL Also Potential Options for Bears
Beyond quarterback, wide receiver and defensive line also stand out as positions of need for Chicago. The Bears lack a true WR1 after trading Roquan Smith to the Ravens midseason last year. Someone like Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) or Jordan Addison (USC) would give Fields or a rookie QB a dynamic weapon.
On defense, the Bears recorded a league-low 20 sacks last season. They could use their extra Day 1 pick from the Smith trade (No. 9 overall via the Ravens) to land an elite pass rushing prospect like Myles Murphy (Clemson) or Nolan Smith (Georgia).
Major Offseason Ahead for Bears
Chicago’s 2023 campaign showed this rebuild is still in its early stages. But Poles and Eberflus now have a golden opportunity to land some foundational players that can catalyze the team’s resurgence. Expect the next few months to be full of intrigue surrounding the quarterback position and how the Bears will utilize their rare draft capital.
No matter if it is gambling on a quarterback, trading back, or selecting the best player available, the decisions Poles makes will have ripple effects for years to come. After hitting on several defensive contributors last draft, the Bears hope their 2023 top picks can finally provide that elusive answer under center that has long haunted the franchise.
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