The following 16 NFL analysts have updated their mock drafts within the last week. While all predict that the Bears will take USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1, here's what they think GM Ryan Poles and company will do at No. 9:
Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus (April 8)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: Chicago would immediately give Caleb Williams one of the best receiver trios in the league — DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Odunze — with a very good tight end in Cole Kmet to boot.
Nate Davis, USA Today (April 9)
No. 9 pick: Bears trade down to No. 13 and select Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
Comment: Why would Chicago punt on a second top-10 pick? Well, selections that lofty – even on rookie contracts – get expensive. And as good a situation as it appears, GM Ryan Poles has a league-low four picks this year – and moving down just this far would still enable him to fill a need with a stud while adding a choice likely to be in the third- or second-round range depending on what year it lands. And though he acquired DE Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last year, Poles still needs a pass rusher on the other side. Verse, who will also bow up against the run, was a first-team All-American during both of his seasons with the Seminoles and registered nine sacks in each.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (April 6)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: It is likely that one of the top wide receivers is available for Chicago at No. 9 overall given all that is projected to occur before its pick. Caleb Williams walks into a great situation throwing to Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com (April 11)
No. 9 pick: Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt
Comment: With the top three receivers off the board, GM Ryan Poles gives No. 1 pick Caleb Williams a 6-foot-9 wall to man the blind side opposite last year's top-10 tackle, Darnell Wright. Shane Waldron's offense has the raw materials to complement Matt Eberflus' defense, meaning the Bears could be poised for a Texans-like rise.
Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun Times (April 4)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: The Bears could extend both DJ Moore and fellow receiver Keenan Allen in the next few months. Odunze, who visited Halas Hall [last] Thursday, can learn under them.
Eric Galko, CBS Sports (April 8)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: The Bears may look to trade down, as they'll only have a handful of picks in their entire draft after this one. But the chance to add Rome Odunze to a DJ Moore and Keenan Allen receiver room can really set Caleb Williams up for success immediately.
Mel Kiper, ESPN (April 10)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: This would be a dream scenario for the Bears, right? They would be adding an elite wideout on a rookie contract to play with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, and they wouldn't have to move up from No. 9 to do it. Remember that Allen is a free agent in 2025, so wide receiver is a bigger need for Chicago than it might seem. The 6-3 Odunze was a nightmare for defenses to deal with in college. He had 92 catches last season, 23 of which came on vertical routes, the most in the FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Information. If the Bears pass on a wideout, look for them to target an edge rusher. Laiatu Latu (UCLA) and Jared Verse (Florida State) are next up in my rankings.
Chris Kwiecinski, Fox 32 Chicago (April 9)
No. 9 pick: Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
Comment: This is a prime trade-down scenario. Ryan Poles has traded down in the last two drafts, why not here? If the Raiders or Broncos want to make sure they get a quarterback, sure. But, that's a different story for another day. We'll stand pat and make a pick here that gives Montez Sweat a complement on the other side of the pass rush. Odunze makes sense, but the pass rush needs immediate help. The receiver room doesn't.
Rhett Lewis, NFL.com (April 9)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: Support your young franchise QB! Just look at what the Texans have done for C.J. Stroud. Chicago follows a similar strategy, bringing in a third high-level WR to assist Caleb Williams. Odunze is on the same tier as [Marvin] Harrison and [Malik] Nabers. The Bears might just "win" the draft with this tandem of top-10 picks.
Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus (April 10)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: In an offense filled with future NFL players at the skill positions, Odunze was the best of the bunch. If he weren't in a class with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, we would be talking about him as an easy WR1 and a player worthy of a top-10 pick, although the latter is still true for 2024.
Damian Parson, The Draft Network (April 7)
No. 9 pick: LSU receiver Malik Nabers
Comment: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and now Malik Nabers would be a young QB's dream supporting cast. Nabers has been compared to Moore but with more explosiveness and speed. Caleb Williams would be set up for a (potential) C.J. Stroud-esqe rookie campaign.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (April 10)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: They have DJ Moore and traded for Keenan Allen, but Allen is (over 30) and Rome Odunze would be a top receiver for a long time for Caleb Williams. Why not add another weapon, even if pass rusher is a possibility here.
Adam Rank, NFL.com (April 8)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: Go ahead and throw one more pick at the offense to support Caleb. Odunze also gives you insurance if Keenan Allen walks next offseason. Too easy. I also heard somebody talking about trading down and eventually just taking LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. OK, I kind of dig that idea, if you can get somebody to bite.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (April 5)
No. 9 pick: Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner
Comment: With the draft's top three receivers already finding new homes by this pick, the Bears take Turner to team with Montez Sweat.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (April 11)
No. 9 pick: Washington receiver Rome Odunze
Comment: The Bears are doing everything possible to make the landing spot cushy for Caleb Williams. Rome Odunze at No. 9 will signal that even more than the Keenan Allen trade a few weeks ago.
Nick Wright, Fox Sports (April 8)
No. 9 pick: Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner
