NFL teams are still fighting for draft positioning ahead of Week 18, but one massive piece of the puzzle was decided on Sunday.
With the Panthers' loss to the Jaguars, the Bears clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It's Chicago's second consecutive No. 1 pick, a trend that has become common of late around the NFL. The Jaguars made back-to-back No. 1 picks in 2021 and 2022, and the Browns went back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. The Bears, of course, won't actually be making back-to-back No. 1 picks, as they traded last year's selection to Carolina.
This time, the Bears didn't land the top pick themselves. They've improved upon their 3-14 record from last season, but the Panthers' dismal season has given Chicago one of the most valuable assets in football.
MORE: D.J. Moore says Justin Fields is Bears' franchise QB
Here's an updated look at the 2024 NFL Draft order through the early Sunday afternoon games in Week 17, with the Bears at the top.
NFL Draft order 2024
| Pick | Team | Record |
| 1 | Bears (from CAR) | 2-14 |
| 2 | Commanders | 4-12 |
| 3 | Patriots | 4-12 |
| 4 | Cardinals | 4-12 |
| 5 | Giants | 5-11 |
| 6 | Titans | 5-11 |
| 7 | Chargers | 5-10 |
| 8 | Jets | 6-10 |
| 9 | Falcons | 7-9 |
| 10 | Bears | 7-9 |
| 11 | Raiders | 7-9 |
| 12 | Packers | 7-8 |
| 13 | Vikings | 7-8 |
| 14 | Saints | 8-8 |
| 15 | Broncos | 8-8 |
| 16 | Bengals | 8-8 |
| 17 | Cardinals (from HOU) | 9-7 |
| 18 | Steelers | 9-7 |
| 19 | Buccaneers | 8-8 |
| 20 | Seahawks | 8-8 |
| 21 | Colts | 9-7 |
| 22 | Jaguars | 9-7 |
| 23 | Rams | 9-7 |
| 24 | Bills | 10-6 |
| 25 | Chiefs | 10-6 |
| 26 | Eagles | 11-5 |
| 27 | Lions | 11-5 |
| 28 | Texans (from CLE) | 11-5 |
| 29 | Dolphins | 11-5 |
| 30 | Cowboys | 11-5 |
| 31 | 49ers | 12-4 |
| 32 | Ravens | 13-3 |
Notes
- The Bears own the Panthers' first-round pick as a result of the trade that sent the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft to Carolina and D.J. Moore to Chicago.
- The Cardinals own the Texans' first-round pick as part of Houston's trade up to select Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft.
- The Texans own the Browns' first-round pick as a result of the Deshaun Watson trade from 2022.
MORE: Live NFL playoff picture in Week 17
NFL Draft 2024 top prospects
So, what could the Bears do with the first overall pick?
They find themselves in an interesting spot, as this draft has two premier quarterback prospects in Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, but QB Justin Fields has looked much more steady of late.
If the Bears opt to stick with Fields, they could either trade the top pick for a haul just as they did last season or consider selecting Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with the pick.
Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and LSU's Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels are among other potential first- or second-round prospects at quarterback.
Offensive tackle is another position of strength in this draft, as Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame's Joe Alt are both projected to be top-10 picks. For teams that miss out on the top two quarterbacks as well as Harrison but need an offensive boost, both could be options in the top 10.
As for the defensive side of the ball, Alabama standouts Kool-Aid McKinstry and Dallas Turner are among the top defensive prospects.
