Chicago Bears select Hinsdale native OT Kiran Amegadjie in 3rd round of 2024 NFL Draft
Bears introduce 1st-round picks QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze at Halas Hall
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Bears will be back on the clock at the NFL Draft Friday, one day after selecting quarterback Caleb Williams first overall and wide receiver Rome Odunze ninth overall.
With the No. 75 overall pick in the third round, the Bears selected Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie. He is a native of Hinsdale, Illinois and went to Hinsdale Central High School.
Charles "Peanut" Tillman announced the pick on the stage in Detroit.
Rounds 4-7 will pick up Sunday morning at 11 a.m. The Bears will have the 122nd overall pick in the fourth round, which will be the 22nd pick of the morning.
The Bears did not have a second round pick after using the pick in a trade for defensive end Montez Sweat.
Meanwhile, the Bears introduced first-round picks Williams and Odunze at a press conference Friday at Halas Hall.
"I'd like to see them live up to their potential," Bears fan Jeff Jackowski said. "This could be the start of something great."
The buzz about the the Bears' draft continued as fans gathered for lunchtime at Moretti's in Rosemont. Fans hope this is the start of a new era for the Monsters of the Midway behind a franchise quarterback in Williams.
"He's got a good chance of being something special," Bears fans Tom Mroczka said.
Fans hope first-overall pick Williams will quickly adjust to the NFL and be ready to lead the Bears to the playoffs in his first season.
"I was pretty excited. I think Caleb is going to be a good asset to the team," Bears fan Jake Davis said.
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Williams and the Bears' second pick Rome Odunze already seem to be fast friends, warmly greeting each other after the bears picked the wide receiver with their second pick in the first round.
In a draft that was heavy on picking offensive players, Bears fans are celebrating that they got two of the best.
"Did the road to the Super Bowls start last night? I hope so," Bears fan Linda Ryland said. "I hope Caleb does a good job. I am thrilled."
Williams Bears jersey flew off the shelves, setting a draft night sales record for all sports, beating the record set just last week by Caitlin Clark.
Other Chicago sports franchises got in on the act as well. The Bulls sent out a message from DeMar DeRozan.
The most recent number one overall pick in the NHL, the Blackhawks' Connor Bedard, also welcomed Williams to Chicago.
There are still five more rounds of the draft to go over the next two days. The Bears only have two more picks though, so fans are hoping quality overcomes quantity.
