Tag: 2024 season

Grading the Bears’ selection of OT Kiran Amegadjie in third round

The Bears shored up their offensive line with the addition of Kiran Amegadjie. Here’s how we graded the pick.

The Chicago Bears shored up their offensive line with the selection of Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie with the 75th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Amegadjie has a nice blend of size, athleticism and length, but he’s a project that will need time to develop. Luckily, he’ll get to work with one of the best offensive line coaches in Chris Morgan, who helped get the most out of two-going-on-three-year starting left tackle Braxton Jones.

Amegadjie has the versatility to play multiple positions, having played both tackle and guard during his collegiate career. He started his first 10 games at left guard before switching to left tackle for his final 14.

While Jones figures to the starter for a third straight year, perhaps Amegadjie can help push Jones, who has plenty to prove heading into 2024.

Chicago has used all three draft picks, so far, on offense. After landing their quarterback in Caleb Williams at first overall, they added a new weapon in receiver Rome Odunze (No. 9) and now an offensive lineman in Amegadjie (No. 75).

When all is said and done, the Bears added a potential future starter in Amegadjie, who’s a versatile lineman with the physical traits to develop into a significant contributor down the line. The Hinsdale native also grew up a Bears fan, which general manager Ryan Poles loves. Plus, it’s never a bad thing to add more protection for your shiny new franchise quarterback.

Grade: B+

Bears select OT Kiran Amegadjie with 75th overall pick in 2024 NFL draft

The Bears shored up their offensive line with the selection of OT Kiran Amegadjie with the No. 75 pick.

The Chicago Bears have selected Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie with the 75th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Amegadjie started all 24 games he played in during three seasons at Yale. But he missed the final six games of the 2023 season with a quad injury that required surgery.

Amegadjie has the versatility to play guard, having played multiple positions along the offensive line during his collegiate career. He started his first 10 games at left guard before switching to left tackle for his final 14 games.

Amegadjie has a nice blend of size, athleticism and length, but he needs time to develop. Perhaps Amegadjie can push starting left tackle Braxton Jones, who has plenty to prove heading into his third season.

We know general manager Ryan Poles loves his local guys, and Amegadjie hails from Hinsdale. He was brought in to Halas Hall for a Top 30 visit during the pre-draft process.

Chicago has gone all offense with their first three draft picks. After selecting quarterback Caleb Williams at first overall, the Bears have been building around him with the additions of wide receiver Rome Odunze (No. 9) and now Amegadjie.

Follow along with our live blog with live updates and picks during Rounds 2 and 3.

When the Bears be picking on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft

The Bears have just one pick on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft. Here’s when they’ll be picking on Friday night:

The 2024 NFL draft is upon us, and the Chicago Bears are gearing up for the second day of action following a busy and thrilling first night.

The Bears overhauled their offense with the additions of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in the top 10, adding to what’s already a loaded offensive group. There’s no denying the future is bright.

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Now, Chicago has just two draft picks remaining — in the third and fourth round — entering an important Day 2. With some big names still on the board — including defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and center Jackson Powers-Johnson — could we see the Bears perhaps trade up?

If not, here’s where Chicago will be picking on Day 2:

  • Round 3, Pick 75

Assuming the Bears stay put at No. 75, they should be on the clock around 9 p.m. CT.

Chicago has just one draft pick on Day 3 — No. 122 in the fourth round, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the Robert Quinn trade. The Bears sent their own fourth-round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers for wide receiver Keenan Allen. Chicago previously traded away their own fifth rounder (for Ryan Bates), sixth rounder (for Dan Feeney) and seventh rounder (for N’Keal Harry).

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General manager Ryan Poles still has some work ahead of him, as there are still needs along the defensive line and offensive line.

Then there’s always the prospect of a trade back scenario, something we’ve seen from Poles in the past. But he’s also made it clear that he’s comfortable with just four picks this year given how the roster has shaken out.

The 2024 NFL draft continues tonight at 6 p.m. CT and Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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Bears QB Caleb Williams broke Fanatics record for draft night jersey sales

Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams’ jersey is in high demand.

The Chicago Bears kicked off the Caleb Williams era last night after selecting the star quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

It’s a move that was anticipated for weeks, especially after the team traded away Justin Fields to clear the way for Williams. And it’s safe to say Bears fans were beyond thrilled last night, as evidenced by an insane record that was broken.

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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick in any sport. He beat the previous record set by Caitlin Clark last week.

Shortly after Williams was announced as the first overall pick, the Bears announced his jersey number. Williams will wear No. 18, which was his high school number. No. 13 will likely be worn by new wide receiver Keenan Allen, who Chicago traded for last month.

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Expectations are high for Williams, even in Year 1. The Bears have done everything to make this an ideal landing spot for Williams: he’s got an arsenal of weapons (including Allen, DJ Moore and Cole Kmet), an improved offensive line, a potential top-five defense and new QB-friendly offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron.

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2024 NFL draft: Best photos of Bears rookies Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze

The Bears selected Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Here are photos of them taking center stage.

The Chicago Bears welcomed two new members to the roster during the first round of the 2024 NFL draft — and it’s safe to say expectations are sky high for this offense.

Chicago selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. Shortly after, the Bears managed to land a top playmaking wide receiver in Rome Odunze at No. 9.

Both Williams and Odunze were in Detroit for the action — they even shared a flight together from Los Angeles — and got to hear their name called and walk out on stage in front of a record 275,000 people at Campus Martius.

Here are the best photos of Williams and Odunze on Thursday night:

2024 NFL draft: How to watch, listen and stream Rounds 2-3

The 2024 NFL continues Friday night with Rounds 2 and 3. Here’s how to watch the action on Day 2:

The 2024 NFL draft is underway, and teams have started bolstering their rosters with some of the nation’s best talent in college football.

It was an entertaining first round on Thursday night, where there were a number of trades, a record-setting run on quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive tackles along with plenty of chaos. But the action is just beginning as we head into night two of the draft, which includes Rounds 2 and 3.

Teams without first-round picks will finally get their chance to make a selection, including the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns.

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There are still some big names still available heading into Friday, including Jer’Zhan Newton, Cooper DeJean, Adonai Mitchell, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Jackson Powers-Johnson.

Here’s how you can tune into Day 2 of the draft on Friday:

What:

2024 NFL draft, Round 2

Where:

Detroit, Mich.

When:

Friday, April 26, 6 p.m. CT

Television:

ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Stream:

FuboTV (try it for free)

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Highlights of new Bears WR Rome Odunze

The Bears added to their explosive receivers room with Rome Odunze. Here’s a glimpse at what Chicago is getting in the No. 9 pick:

There was a lot of speculation about what the Chicago Bears would do with the ninth overall pick. While all the top defensive players and talented offensive tackles, they couldn’t pass up wide receiver Rome Odunze.

Odunze was incredible during his college career at Washington. He had over 1,100 yards in both 2022 and 2023. Last year, Odunze totaled more than 1,600 yards as Washington made it to the College Football Playoff. He has some great high-pressure experience as a result along with all of these great stats. It is a home run of a pick.

This is a wide receiver that can be explosive and he can go up and catch a football. With DJ Moore and Keenan Allen already in place, this is going to be an incredible receiver room. It could be both the best in the NFL and the best in Bears history.

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The Bears selected Odunze’s friend Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick to kick off the night. Now, they get to come to Chicago together to start their careers in the NFL. These highlights are what Bears fans have to look forward to from Odunze:

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Highlights of new Bears QB Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams is officially a Bear. Here’s a glimpse at what Chicago is getting in the No. 1 pick.

The Chicago Bears have officially selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He was brought to Chicago to turn this franchise around. If he succeeds, he will be a legend in this town for a very long time.

General manager Ryan Poles got his guy. He moved off of Justin Fields, which couldn’t have been a fun decision, but he felt it had to be done. Poles has shown that winning football games is the most important thing to him. Now, Williams holds the keys to Poles’ legacy.

During his time at USC, Williams was an incredible player. He won a Heisman Trophy in 2022 and had a ton of success, which is the reason he is the No. 1 overall pick. Williams is now looking to translate that success to his NFL career, He has all of the tools needed to do well — along with an ideal situation in Chicago.

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Williams’ play at USC had a lot of flare to it. He made big plays using his legs and arms. As productive as he was, he was also as entertaining as any player in the country. These are some of his best highlights:

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Caleb Williams hype video: Welcome to the Chicago Bears

The Caleb Williams era is officially underway with the Bears. Here’s a hype video to get you even more excited:

The Caleb Williams era is officially underway in Chicago.

The Bears selected the former Heisman Trophy winner with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, a move that’s been expected for weeks.

Williams is coming into one of the best situations, perhaps ever, for a No. 1 quarterback. He’s got an arsenal of weapons (including DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift and fellow rookie Rome Odunze), an improved offensive line, a potential top-five defense and a quarterback-friendly offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron.

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There’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to what Williams can bring to this offense, even as a rookie. He’s got elite arm talent, mobility, leadership and creativity that make him a home-run addition for Chicago.

This hype video from Da Windy City Productions encapsulates it best:

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Instant analysis of Bears selection of WR Rome Odunze

The Bears paired QB Caleb Williams with WR Rome Odunze at No. 9. Here’s our instant reaction.

The Chicago Bears paired new quarterback Caleb Williams with a playmaking wide receiver in Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Bears have found a perfect fit for Shane Waldron’s offense in Odunze, a talented wide receiver from the University of Washington. At 6’3″ and 212 pounds, Odunze possesses the size, strength, and athleticism to become a dominant force in the NFL.

Odunze’s physicality and ability to win contested catches make him an ideal target in the red zone and on third downs. His strong hands and body allow him to make difficult catches in traffic, providing a reliable option for the quarterback when the play breaks down. Odunze’s size also makes him an effective blocker in the running game, which is crucial in Waldron’s scheme, which relies heavily on the outside run.

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In addition to his physical attributes, Odunze’s route-running ability and football IQ are intriguing. He has a good understanding of how to leverage his routes and find soft spots in zone coverage, which will be valuable in the Bears’ play-action passing game. The Washington wide receiver can read defenses and adjust on the fly, which will help Caleb Williams.

Overall, the Bears have found a talented and versatile wide receiver in Odunze, who fits perfectly into Waldron’s offense. His size, physicality, route-running ability, and football IQ make him a great addition to the Bears’ receiving corps, and he has the potential to become a long-term starter and future WR1 on the team.