2024 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Make Big Trade with Bears for Top QB

Chicago trades down out of the top 10, while the Broncos land a replacement for Russell Wilson in this first-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling | Feb 23, 2024

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos Make Big Trade with Bears for Top QB /

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, all of the conversation surrounding the Chicago Bears has to do with their plan for the No. 1 pick, with the current expectation that they'll select USC quarterback Caleb Williams and trade Justin Fields.

But they also have another top-10 pick in this draft at No. 9, which gives them plenty of flexibility beyond that top overall selection.

In the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, the Bears indeed take Williams at No. 1, but then swing a deal with the Denver Broncos for the No. 9 pick. With that pick, the Broncos make Michigan's J.J. McCarthy their new franchise quarterback, replacing Russell Wilson after one of the worst trades in NFL history.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy — McCarthy could end up being a top-10 pick as the fourth quarterback off the board / Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK

Even after moving down three spots in this scenario, the Bears are still able to land a player who would have already been a massive steal at their original slot, grabbing Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

This mock doesn't outline the compensation the Bears would receive for making this swap, but if they're able to get a Day 2 pick and still land an elite talent like Odunze outside the top 10, it would be a massive win for them.

McCarthy is the fourth and final quarterback in this first-round mock, with all of them coming off the board in the top 10. Joining him and Williams are the usual suspects in LSU's Jayden Daniels (No. 2, Washington Commanders). North Carolina's Drake Maye (No. 3, New England Patriots). This leaves other top prospects like Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix waiting until Day 2 to hear their names called.

To check out the full first-round projection at CBS Sports, click here.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Updated 4-Round Projections

Published Feb 23, 2024

LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more. Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com