Several NFL analysts have updated their mock drafts in the last week or so. All 16 we perused expect the Bears to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1. But there's a difference of opinion about what general manager Ryan Poles will do with the No. 9 choice:
Russell Brown, Fantasy Pros (March 30)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: This could be a trade-down spot for any team interested in moving up for a pass-catcher, offensive tackle or quarterback. To save myself the headache of predicting the trade, the Bears stay put and play it smart by adding Rome Odunze. Despite adding Keenan Allen with DJ Moore, the Bears add a playmaker with this pick. Odunze could end up a top-two or top-three player from this draft class. He makes great adjustments on the football and can run every route possible. Getting him to Chicago would make life easier for Caleb Williams.
Alex Butler, UPI (March 29)
No. 9 pick: Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner
Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports (March 28)
No. 9 pick: Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
Comment: After getting Williams, I think the Bears would like to trade down, but there are no takers so they take Verse. Can't have a good enough pass rush when you're facing the Lions offensive line and all those receivers and skill players on the Packers. The Bears have to get Montez Sweat some help on that defensive line.
Charles Davis, NFL.com (March 28)
No. 9 pick: UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu
Comment: I've heard the mantra of "QB at 1, WR at 9" from Bears fans this offseason, but with the recent acquisition of Pro Bowl wideout Keenan Allen, GM Ryan Poles shifts his attention to bolstering a blossoming defense by adding a skilled pass rusher to help last year's trade-deadline pickup, Montez Sweat.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com (March 29)
No. 9 pick: Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
Comment: Why Verse over Dallas Turner? Just a gut feeling here, but GM Ryan Poles appears to like bulk and edge-setting ability in his pass rushers. Either would be a fine choice, but we'll pencil in Verse, whose effort and speed/power combination could comprise a nice bookend set with Montez Sweat.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (March 28)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: There is never enough that can be done to support a young quarterback. The Bears keep throwing resources on the offense as Rome Odunze pairs nicely with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.
Sean Hammond, Shaw Local News Network (April 1)
No. 9 pick: Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner
Comment: With the top three receivers gone, the Bears become the first team to select a defensive player. Turner could make an immediate impact for Matt Eberflus' defense.
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News (April 1)
No. 9 pick: UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu
Comment: After adding Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, and D'Andre Swift in free agency, the Bears need to think about pass rush here over offensive skill players. Matt Eberflus will like this versatile, productive option to pair with Montez Sweat.
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (March 29)
No. 9 pick: Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
Comment: This is probably too rich for Brian Thomas of LSU, so maybe they trade down and snag him. But you saw the impact Montez Sweat had on the Bears pass rush late last season; they need to swing for a big-time edge rusher opposite him.
Arjun Menon, Pro Football Focus (April 1)
No. 9 pick: Trade down to No. 11 and select LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU while acquiring a third-round pick (No. 90) from Cardinals.
Comment: Step 1: Draft Caleb Williams; Step 2: Surround him with the best situation possible. Brian Thomas Jr. helps achieve the latter for Chicago. While DJ Moore and the newly acquired Keenan Allen are already one of the league's best wide receiver duos, Thomas ... gives Chicago a future WR2 if they can't come to terms on an extension with Allen.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (March 27)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: As Chicago's brain trust looks to set up its new signal-caller for immediate success, bringing aboard Keenan Allen stands out as a savvy move for a franchise flush with cap space. Yet it shouldn't prohibit the addition of another top-tier receiver like Odunze. With his knack for hauling in contested catches and threatening defenses with his full route tree, he would form a sizzling connection with Williams.
Rob Rang, Fox Sports (April 1)
No. 9 pick: Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga
Comment: Investing in a young quarterback at No. 1 overall only makes sense if the Bears protect him. Fuaga never surrendered a sack in college and is even better as a run blocker. He is a plug-and-play NFL starter with the size, power and mindset to help immediately at tackle or guard.
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (April 1)
No. 9 pick: UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu
Comment: The Bears drafted their franchise QB with their first pick and this offense looks to be on its way to being a good unit. So with this pick, they address the defensive side of the football and go with a high-level technician in pass rusher Laiatu Latu. Latu will give the Bears a nice one-two punch along the defensive line.
Rick Spielman, CBS Sports (March 31)
No. 9 pick: Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner
Comment: The Bears could look WR here, but they really need an edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat. That's why Dallas Turner is the pick. I think he has as quick of a first step as (fellow former Alabama edge rusher) Will Anderson Jr. ... He can also drop into coverage, but this guy is going to make his money rushing the passer.
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (March 29)
No. 9 pick: Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
Comment: Similar to Atlanta, the Bears got a lot better offensively with the additions of D'Andre Swift, Keenan Allen and then Caleb Williams. But they still need a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat, so they look to the uber-productive Jared Verse out of Florida State.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (April 1)
No. 9 pick: Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner
Comment: It'll be interesting to see which edge rusher goes off the board first; I lean slightly to Verse but could understand why a team prefers Turner, one of the most explosive players in this class. With Keenan Allen now in Chicago, the Bears -- like the Falcons above -- can focus on defense here. (Alternatively, now with just four picks in the entire draft, they could choose to trade down.)
