Bears Mock Draft: What if Chicago keeps Justin Fields?
By Hunter Haas
Round 2, Pick 37 (via NYG): Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
Cooper Beebe is one of my favorite guards in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Kansas State alum is witnessing a down year for the Wildcats, but he still flashes enough upside on tape to be an early second-rounder come next April. For Chicago, Beebe would provide immediate help on the interior.
Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright are a promising offensive tackle duo when healthy — emphasis on the “when healthy” part. Teven Jenkins is another high-end option on the line, but he also has struggled to stay on the field. That’s where Beebe comes in.
Although he isn’t the ideal size for the outside, Beebe has shown the ability to fill in when needed. He is a much more natural fit on the inside, where defenders can’t take advantage of his lack of length. So, adding a versatile lineman allows for insurance in the event of injury while giving the Bears an instant starter at right guard.
Round 2, Pick 39: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
The Bears spent a considerable amount of money on the linebacker position last offseason. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards inked deals via free agency, but the position as a whole still needs more juice. When life gives you lemons, draft Barrett Carter.
Okay, corny jokes aside, Chicago really could use the skill set of Carter for the middle of the Eberflus system. As Bears fans will know, Eberflus’ scheme puts a heavy reliance on having sure tacklers at the second and third levels. The Clemson defender is a bruising tackler with a red-hot motor.
Because of his combination of strength and athleticism, Carter projects as a versatile weapon on defense. He has the IQ to serve as the green dot player and the “dog in him” to play as the strong-side backer. The defense gets yet another high-upside player added. But wait! There’s more on the way!
Round 3, Pick 70: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
The Bears started out this mock draft article by trading for and drafting two edge rushers. Now, it is time to bolster the interior. Gervon Dexter looks like a future star, while Zacch Pickens also has starting-caliber potential. However, one more behemoth would be a cherry on top for the new-look defensive trenches.
Texas star T’Vondre Sweat is the ideal man for the middle. Sweat stands 6-foot-4 and weighs over 360 pounds, and you can tell from the moment he gets off the bus. The Longhorn veteran is in his fifth season on campus and has transformed his body since arriving.
He is a work in progress, mostly as a pass rusher. Sweat lacks proper hand usage on several snaps, but in college, his power made up for any fundamental deficiencies. That trademark power is the selling point, as Sweat profiles as a dominant run stuffer from Day 1. This is a bet on upside in Round 3 of our latest Bears mock draft.