The Chicago Bears could shake things up in the upcoming NFL draft this April while, at the same time, making what many feel is the sane, sound decision for the sake of the team’s future.
Blessed with the overall no. 1 pick– thanks to their mega-deal with the Carolina Panthers last season, Chicago is in a position to select the top college prospect coming into the pros. The consensus opinion among experts and other insiders is that USC blue chip quarterback Caleb Williams will be that selection.
However, the Bears still have a second first-round draft pick (overall no. 9) and they also still have current quarterback Justin Fields, who most feel will be dealt to make room for an incoming Williams. Those two bargaining chips could help bring in some much-appreciated draft capital. And given general manager Ryan Poles’ history of wheeling and dealing with draft picks, it wouldn’t be too unexpected if the team leveraged their no. 9 pick and Fields into a significant haul of young talent.
Chicago Bears Wheeling and Dealing on Draft Day
In a mock draft scenario cooked up by Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bears do just that in a bid to acquire more draft picks to further beef up their roster.
In the proposal, Shapiro sees the Bears sending their no. 9 pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Denver Broncos in return for Denver’s no. 12 pick in the first-round, their third-round pick (no. 76) this year, and a 2025 third-rounder.
The trade brings a high-ranked third-round pick to Chicago and a 3-round upgrade in next year’s draft for the cost of a three-spot drop in the first round this draft. Shapiro envisions the Bears drafting Edge Jared Verse from Florida State with their new no. 12 pick and wide receiver Xavier Worthy from Texas with the no. 76 pick.
This wouldn’t be the first time media experts tied Chicago and Denver together for a possible draft day deal.
Broncos Insider for The Athletic, Nick Kosmider, responding to a mock draft scenario, felt that Denver would have to give up something substantial to get the Bears to swap their no. 9 with them. He saw that price as the Broncos’ no. 12, their third round pick (no. 76), and a fourth-rounder in 2025.
Is all that possible? Maybe– if Denver sees something of value still on the board as the draft inches closer to the Bears’ spot.
Wheeling and Dealing Part 2: Justin Fields
In the second big draft day trade in Shapiro’s scenario, Justin Fields gets sent to the New England Patriots in what amounts to a low-risk deal for the Pats. Shapiro sees Fields going for New England’s third-round pick (no. 68) and their sixth-round pick (no. 192).
For the Bears, this deal would be a significant comedown from what they hoped to get for Fields, but it would also be a necessary step to clear the way for Caleb Williams as well as add draft picks to a team with only five as they entered draft day.
The deal would test the boundaries of the imagination, though, when it comes to New England. With the current no. 3 pick overall, they’ll definitely be able to grab one of the other elite QB prospects in the draft. For this trade to make sense, their front office would have to fall in love with Fields and decide to draft wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State to be Fields’ go-to weapon.
Shapiro then sees the Bears selecting USC wide receiver– and former Caleb Williams teammate– Brendan Rice, son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, with their new third-round pick. The adding of Rice would give Williams a degree of comfort as he transitions to the pros.
Needless to say, interesting days are ahead in the world of football and, specifically, in the world of Chicago Bears football.