The Chicago Bears Traded Away a 5th-round Draft Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for Bills OL Ryan Bates. The Bears are now left with only five picks in this upcoming draft.
The Chicago Bears traded for Offensive Lineman Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills late Monday night. The Bears traded away a 5th-round pick in this year’s draft, leaving only five picks to reload their roster for 2024.
The #Bears now have only five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Round 1 (No. 1)
Round 1 (No. 9)
Round 3
Round 4
Round 4It will be interesting to see if that No. 9 pick gets dangled in a trade for QB-needy teams. The likely Justin Fields trade should net them another pick as well. https://t.co/4KOLCDImeC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 5, 2024
As Ari Meirov reported, the Bears tried to sign Bates to an unrestricted free-agent tender, but Buffalo matched. He remained with Buffalo in 2023 but now joins the Bears for the upcoming 2024 season.
Trade Season for the Chicago Bears
This trade may be the first of many for the Chicago Bears. Many theoretical trades have made their way around the internet. The trades the Chicago Bears make moving forward need to involve draft picks, as they are depleted.
The Chicago Bears only have five remaining picks. Two 1st-round picks, a 3rd-round pick, and two 4th-round picks. Just enough for a starting basketball team; unfortunately, they might need to stock up on a few more.
What is Fields Worth
Rumors around a Justin Fields trade have been constant. Some days, he seems to be more valuable than others. Lately, his stock has lowered.
“Previously, a team such as Atlanta, with the eighth overall draft pick, may have felt the need to grab Fields in the hope that the Falcons can maximize his talents in a way the Bears haven’t. If the Falcons hold the consensus of scouts following the combine, they may believe they have viable options through the draft, namely McCarthy.” This report from Yahoo Sports eludes to the fact that the cost of Fields may be too high. Draft a rookie for cheap and play out the rookie contract.
Many would think Fields would demand something close to a Sam Darnold haul in trade value. “In return for Darnold, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018, the Jets received three picks: a sixth-rounder in the 2021 draft later this month and a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in 2022.” From ESPN.com.
The Chicago Bears are hopeful for a second-rounder and possibly one more day-two pick (third through fifth round).
Could the Chicago Bears Trade Back?
Ryan Poles said he would “need a historic haul to trade back from the first overall pick” in the year’s draft. Many project Caleb Williams to be the Bears’ pick; some would say he should demand that type of haul.
Maybe the Bears won’t trade back from the first overall pick but rather the ninth overall pick. Many options are available for the Chicago Bears if the player they want with their second pick is not on the board.
The teams drafting after the Bears’ No. 9 pick. At No. 11, the Minnesota Vikings; the Denver Broncos at No. 12; the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13; the Seattle Seahawks at No. 16; the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20. these teams are shopping for a new quarterback. All may want to increase their odds of finding one by jumping into the ninth pick.
Pete Martuneac of BearsTalk.com writes, “I also have the Bears trading back from 9th overall with the Philadelphia Eagles. Chicago moves from nine to 22 while picking up a second-round pick in 2024 and 2025.”
It is by no means historic, but it adds capital.
The Chicago Bears have many options, but Bears fans would agree that, hopefully, those options lead to more picks.
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