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Before free agency even started, the Bears traded for former Pro Bowl guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to bolster an offensive line that allowed the most sacks and blocked for the NFL’s 26th-ranked rushing attack by yards per carry in 2024. They then signed former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million before overhauling the defensive line with the signings of two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, who recorded eight sacks in 2023.
Though the Bears may still look to add a tackle at some point to pair with 2023 first-round pick Darnell Wright, it’s clear that the trenches are a much less glaring need than it was just a few weeks ago. It now seems likely that the Bears will use their 10th overall pick to address one of their other needs, which is why ESPN writer Field Yates has the Bears selecting another weapon for quarterback Caleb Williams in his updated NFL mock draft.
“Offensive line would have been the clear priority for the Bears, but they totally revamped their interior by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and then also signing center Drew Dalman. The trenches already look much better on paper,” Yates wrote. “So, let’s get (Tyler)Warren, who is tremendous after the catch and could help quarterback Caleb Williams in a big way, into the top 10.”
Compared to some of the other teams at the top of the draft, tight end is not as big a need for the Bears, as Cole Kmet has been solid in his five years in Chicago. Yet Tyler Warren presents far more upside as the consensus top tight end in this year’s draft, as he is coming off a 104-reception, 1,233-yard senior season with the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions. He could play a similar do-it-all role for new head coach Ben Johnson as Sam LaPorta did when he was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, and it’s hard to imagine the Bears not pulling the trigger if Warren is still available at 10th overall.