Bears May Consider Moving Up into the Second Round of the Draft
The Bears, under the direction of GM Ryan Poles, face a significant wait before their next draft selection, unless Poles opts for a strategic maneuver.
With a history of making moves on draft day, Poles conducted three trades during the 2022 NFL draft and another four in the previous year. His proactive approach was evident when he secured a pass rusher, Montez Sweat, last year in a major trade before extending his contract. Similarly, in 2022, he traded a second-round pick to the Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool to support quarterback Justin Fields. While the acquisition of Sweat proved beneficial, the Claypool trade did not yield the expected results, showcasing Poles' willingness to make bold moves.
Poles hinted that the Bears might "potentially" consider trading up into the second round this Friday. He acknowledged the temptation to move back into the first round but expressed concern over the substantial cost and potential long-term impact on the team.
Currently, the Bears hold four picks this year, utilizing the first and ninth selections on Caleb Williams and Rome Odune, respectively. They also possess the 75th and 122nd picks. The team is better positioned for next year's draft, holding an extra second-round pick from a 2023 trade with the Panthers, among other additional picks. These could improve further if Fields meets certain playtime conditions with the Steelers, potentially upgrading a sixth-round pick to a fourth-rounder.
While advancing in the first round is costly due to the caliber of available prospects, moving up from the 75th to somewhere in the 60s to secure a highly-rated pass rusher might be more feasible and less damaging. This possibility remains on the table as the draft progresses, reflecting Poles' strategy to strengthen the team through calculated risks.
| POLL | ||
26 AVRIL | 81 ANSWERS Bears May Consider Moving Up into the Second Round of the Draft Should the Bears trade up in the second round of the draft? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 33.3 % |
| No | 54 | 66.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
