The Chicago Bears have two picks in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, and not much else.
While having the first overall pick and the ninth overall pick is nothing to sneeze at, the team is absent capital in the rest of the draft, with only a third-round pick (no. 75) and a fourth-round pick (no. 122) in the remaining rounds.
For that reason, it’s widely believed that Bears general manager Ryan Poles will make a draft day trade to acquire more selections, likely using that ninth pick to do so. Poles has certainly not been shy about pulling off big, bold trades in the past, giving up prized draft positions to add picks and it can be assumed that he wouldn’t pause in doing that again if he felt it could benefit his team.
Chicago Bears Trading Back?
Trading back for a later first-round pick and some added draft selections could be seen as the smart, practical thing to do. As a matter of fact, experts see Chicago as one of the more likely teams in this year’s draft to pull the trigger on such a deal.
“I’d be shocked if they make that pick at nine,” an unnamed NFC area scout told analyst Jordan Reid in a piece posted by ESPN. “[Bears GM Ryan] Poles loves to move around and build through the draft, and that roster still needs help in some spots.” Don’t be surprised if Chicago moves back, adds more draft capital, and takes the best defensive end available wherever it lands. Laiatu Latu (UCLA) and Jared Verse (Florida State) are two options who would help off the edge in Chicago.”
A Win-Win Proposition?
The idea of the Bears, with no. 1 Caleb Williams already in hand, trading back and still getting one of their other targeted prospects is a story many media voices are telling at the moment. It really is a “having your cake and eating it” win-win proposition as people tell it and it should put Bears fans in a really happy place.
One such deal involves the Philadelphia Eagles.
In a mock draft trade proposal posted by Glynn Morgan of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bears traded away their no. 9 pick to the Eagles for their first-round pick (no. 22), their second-round pick (no. 53), and a 2025 third-round pick.
A Double Trade Back?
In another mock draft trade proposal, this time done by Ryan Heckman of Bears Goggles On, the Bears cut a deal with the New Orleans Saints, giving up their no. 9 for the Saints’ no. 14 pick, two fifth-round picks, and a 2025 second-round pick.
Then, Heckman has Chicago trading their new no. 14 pick to the Eagles for Philadelphia’s first-round pick (no. 22) and a second-round pick (no. 50).
In both of the proposed trades, the Bears get the added draft picks they presumably crave by giving up their second first-round pick. In the Bears Goggles On proposal, they get five total picks over two years from their two trades back. Both proposals, however, see the Bears getting back a second-round pick to replace the one traded for defensive end Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last year.
Whatever happens later this month, this should be quite an interesting draft for the Chicago Bears and its fans. Needless to say– stay tuned.