The Chicago Bears have settled their quarterback dilemma– apparently– with the trade of Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers and are set– again, apparently– to select USC blue chip quarterback prospect Caleb Williams with their overall no. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft.
But, still, there are some draft-related issues that need to be addressed. First, there’s the question of who to choose with their other first-round pick (no. 9 overall). Perhaps, more importantly, there’s also the issue of having so few draft picks this year.
Chicago Bears Could Add Draft Picks With These Two Trades
After trades, the Bears are down to just four draft picks in 2024– the two no. 1 picks, a third-rounder (no. 75), and a fourth-rounder (no. 122). That gives them the fewest number of draft picks in the league. That, of course, is not good for a team looking to stockpile young talent for a franchise rebuild.
Alex Shapiro of Yahoo! Sports, however, has cooked up a scenario where the Bears can not only draft Caleb Williams as planned, but also keep a second first-round pick while acquiring a considerable handful of draft capital.
In his latest mock draft, he proposes the Bears using their no. 9 pick to trade back twice in order to get additional draft picks.
Per Shapiro, Chicago would trade their no. 9 pick in the first round and their sixth-round pick in 2025 to the New Orleans Saints for the Saints’ no. 14 pick, as well as their second-round pick (no. 45) and their fifth-round pick (no. 168).
Chicago would then deal away their new no. 14 pick to the Miami Dolphins for the Dolphins’ no. 21 pick and their second-round pick (no. 55).
For those keeping track, the Bears would end up with a no. 21 pick in the first round, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick for their no. 9 pick and a 2025 sixth-rounder.
Does It All Make Sense?
The move from no. 9 to no. 21 is a significant drop, but with Chicago having addressed their needs at wide receiver by trading for Keenan Allen and then addressing running back, tight end, offensive line, and the secondary as well, the team won’t be so pressed to find an impact player in round one of the draft. The two second-round picks, especially, could help fill spots that would’ve remained unfilled otherwise.
Could this deal happen? It’s certainly possible, plausible, and workable. If it DID happen, the Bears would be coming out ahead and walking away as draft day winners.
1 Comment
I have been hard on R.Poles and CW. All because I believe in J.f. and loved the idea to trade #1 for#2 then take Danields at 2 and many more good rookies as Poles wanted to form the team on draft picks but how can you argue with K.Allen/ M.Sweat /swift/ Everest plus plus plus and finally all the hype From trustworthy GMFB and so many more experts But Poles is so great at his job there is so little room for error as for what he was given to what the Bears look now It’s time for me too cut him some slack Go Bears go/ go Steelers go / Go Justin go Give them hell and be the great QB and football player you are.