Welcome to the start of the 2024 NFL Draft Review Series. We’ll break down every single team’s draft decisions and give them a grade at the end. Up first: the Chicago Bears who selected Caleb Williams with the number one overall pick.
Round 1, Pick 1: QB Caleb Williams, USC
This shouldn’t be too hard. Williams was the best quarterback on the board, and the two parties have been linked to each other for months. The dream became a reality after Chicago traded incumbent Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, clearing the way for the drafting of Williams and have him be QB1.
An electric player, the former Trojan will look to be the franchise guy for years to come. He enters a great situation, with a solid offensive core around him and a good defense that will help him possess the ball more often. No complaints here.
Grade: A+
Round 1, Pick 9: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
I was very surprised the former Huskie fell this far. Then again, the Los Angeles Chargers drafting Joe Alt at fifth overall messed everything up. Chicago isn’t complaining, as they land who would have been the best receiver in the draft if it weren’t for Marvin Harrison Jr and Malik Nabers being in the draft.
Odunze adds to what already was a great receiving room with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Now, the team has three legit WR1s for their young quarterback. Odunze will be one to help win those 50/50 balls against cornerbacks, and his route running is smooth and impressive. He will start as a WR3 (shocking), but will be the main guy sooner rather than later.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 75: OT Kiran Amegadije, Yale
When I said the Bears were good on defense, I meant it. They continued to build their offense in round three, selecting the tackle from Yale. Amedadije is a left tackle who graded at 89.5 according to PFF in 2023. Though he could also play guard, he has played tackle exclusively the past two seasons.
He has great power and balance when in contact, and despite playing at the FCS level, will be worth an investment. Though he may not start right away (Braxton Jones is the current left tackle), it wouldn’t hurt for him to continue to develop and be dominant when he gets to start. To get a 6’5″, 318 lineman like him in the third round who has great tools; is a steal.
Grade: B
Round 4, Pick 121: P Tory Taylor, Iowa
This pick was questionable, considering it was way too early to address special teams plus there were other positions Chicago could have gone (defensive line, linebacker depth?). But, they rolled the dice with the best punter available.
Taylor had 35 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2023 for the Hawkeyes, and the Bears will have one position set for the foreseeable future. The only issue: it just felt too early to get him.
Grade: C+
Round 5, Pick 144: ED Austin Booker, Kansas
Now, we have a defensive player! The pass-rusher had nine sacks in 2023 and finished with an 82.2 PFF grade in 2023. However, he does need to add some more weight if he wants to reach his potential.
He won’t be a three-down guy right away. But, he will contribute right away in pass-rush packages and could develop to become even more for the Chicago Bears.
Grade: B
Overall Grade: A-
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the Third and Ten Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
