USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington receiver Rome Odunze were on the same flight to Detroit on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen if they will be on the same flight out of Detroit on Friday morning. Williams is expected to be selected first overall by the Bears on Thursday night, while Odunze is considered a potential target for the Bears at No. 9. The Bears have been evaluating players at all three positions of need, but it is unclear which position they will prioritize with their first pick. The front office has spent the past few weeks analyzing the benefits of taking a player at each spot, including conducting historical studies of how championship franchises have built their rosters around each position. The Bears are in a prime position to get a star at one of their positions of need, but they will need to make a wise decision with their No. 9 pick. If they have the opportunity to land a star player, they should not hesitate to do so.
The Bears have several options at No. 9, including Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner, and Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison. All three players would fill a need for the Bears, but it is possible that all three could be gone by the time the Bears are on the clock. If that is the case, the Bears could trade down to acquire more picks. General manager Ryan Poles has indicated that he is content with having four picks this year, but he has also shown a willingness to trade down in the past. The Bears have the lowest number of draft picks in the NFL this year, so they could benefit from adding more picks to their arsenal. Ultimately, the decision of who to draft at No. 9 will be up to Poles and the Bears’ front office. They have done their homework and they will make the decision that they believe is best for the team.
