NFL Draft

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Make a Shocking Pick at No. 1

In this early first-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears deliver a massive surprise at the top spot.

Luke Easterling

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Make a Shocking Pick at No. 1
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Make a Shocking Pick at No. 1 /

If you checked every 2024 NFL mock draft written by anyone up to this point, the vast majority will have a quarterback coming off the board at No. 1, with either USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye in that spot.

A few outliers might have Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. there, and a couple might go with Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. 

But the latest first-round projection from CBS Sports throws a massive curveball, sending UCLA edge defender Laiatu Latu to the Chicago Bears at No. 1 instead of the usual suspects.

Latu would definitely fill a huge need for the Bears, even after this year's deadline trade for Montez Sweat, and Latu has easily been one of the most dominant defenders in all of college football this season. His pass-rushing numbers have been impressive, and he even showed off his athleticism with a fantastic interception Saturday night against Cal.

UCLA edge defender Laiatu Latu
Latu has been one of the most dominant pass rushers in college football this season / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

That said, Latu's injury history could give NFL teams cause for concern, especially one that would be considering him with the top overall pick. Latu medically retired from football after sustaining a neck injury at Washington, and missed two seasons before transferring to UCLA and returning to the field.

As for the rest of this mock, Harrison goes No. 2 to the Arizona Cardinals, and three straight quarterbacks round out the top five: Williams (No. 3, New England Patriots), Maye (No. 4 via trade, Atlanta Falcons), and LSU's Jayden Daniels (No. 5, New York Giants). 

Only one other quarterback cracks the top 32 here, with Oregon's Bo Nix landing with the Minnesota Vikings at the No. 20 pick.

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

LOOK | Latest 3-Round Projections for the 2024 NFL Draft

Published
Luke Easterling
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

Home/Latest News