Trade allows Bears to double-dip on elite prospects in latest mock draft

The Bears have a big decision to make in the coming months and that's deciding whether to stick with QB Justin Fields and add to his arsenal of weapons, or draft a rookie quarterback with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

However, NFL.com's Chad Reuter believes there's a scenario that Chicago lands the top quarterback and wide receiver in his latest mock draft.

First, Reuter has the Bears selecting USC QB Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick.

"Williams' combination of physical tools and natural feel for the position point to an excellent NFL career," Reuter writes.

The belief is that Chicago is going to need a "historic haul" to move off the first overall pick. It feels like a no-brainer for the team to select the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, who's thrown for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23.

With the Bears future franchise quarterback on their roster, Fields becomes disposable. Reuter thinks Chicago will send Fields, the No. 9 pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 conditional pick to the Patriots for the No. 3 pick.

The Bears then select Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr., who's posted 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2022-23.

"The Bears take the Patriots' trade compensation package for Fields to get a future star receiver to make Williams' transition to the NFL easier," Reuter writes. "Harrison has room to grow at the next level, but his size/speed combination, body control and elusiveness with the ball in his hands are already tough for corners to handle."

New England then drafts Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu at pick No. 9, giving Fields his future blindside blocker. Fashanu didn't allow a sack in more than 680 pass-protection snaps over the past two seasons.

Trading back into the top three will prove costly for the Bears, just as it did for the Texans a year ago. But if Chicago can land Williams and Harrison Jr. while giving Fields a fresh start, it certainly feels like a win-win for both sides.