With the NFL Draft approaching on Thursday, the Chicago Bears have a crucial decision to make with the No. 9 pick. General Manager Ryan Poles has prioritized acquiring wide receivers for quarterback Justin Fields, trading for Chase Claypool, DJ Moore, and Keenan Allen. However, if Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt is unavailable, the Bears may consider drafting wide receiver Jalen Odunze, who fits their profile as a former four-star athlete with leadership qualities.
The Atlanta Falcons have struggled mightily to find a reliable sack artist for over a decade, but a recent trade request from Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson could provide a solution. Hendrickson, a three-time Pro-Bowler and reigning sack leader with 17.5 in 2023, has requested a trade due to lack of financial commitment from the Bengals. The Falcons, who possess a glaring need for an EDGE rusher, would be wise to pursue Hendrickson aggressively. The 29-year-old former Saint has ties to Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, who played a role in drafting him to New Orleans in 2017. With their ample draft picks and healthy salary cap situation, the Falcons could easily swing a deal for Hendrickson and grant him the contract extension he seeks. Acquiring Hendrickson would be a major coup for the Falcons, giving them a proven commodity at their biggest position of need.
As the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the Los Angeles Rams are exploring the possibility of acquiring pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. Hendrickson, 29, has emerged as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers, recording 39.5 sacks over the past three seasons. With the Rams seeking to bolster their defensive front after the retirement of Aaron Donald, they could make a move for Hendrickson, who has requested a trade due to Cincinnati’s unwillingness to commit to him long-term. Despite their limited cap space, the Rams reportedly have a plan in place to accommodate Hendrickson’s contract without surrendering their first-round pick, potentially offering a third-rounder and a conditional pick in 2025 instead.
As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the Chicago Bears have reportedly narrowed their options for the ninth overall pick to two positions: wide receiver and defensive end. According to sources, the Bears are considering drafting one of the top wide receivers available, potentially to complement quarterback Caleb Williams. However, the team could also prioritize a pass rusher to take pressure off Montez Sweat. While a trade down is possible, the Bears are reportedly leaning towards selecting either Rome Odunze from Washington or Malike Nabers from LSU at wide receiver, or a pass rusher such as Dallas Turner from Alabama or Jared Verse from Florida State.
With the NFL Draft approaching, analysts are releasing their projections for the Atlanta Falcons. One popular mock draft from PFF highlights the team’s focus on defense, with their top four picks all targeting defensive players. The Falcons are in need of a pass rusher and cornerback, and this mock addresses both of those positions in the first round. Laiatu Latu, a defensive end from Alabama, is projected as a potential pick at No. 8 overall, followed by cornerback M.J. Devonshire from California in the second round. Overall, the mock draft adds six defenders and three offensive players, indicating the Falcons’ emphasis on strengthening their defense.
