Further evidence suggests that Houston is targeting the Chicago Bears' top draft selection.
The upcoming scouting combine, set to occur in less than a week, has prompted insiders to warn that the NFL draft rumors would begin to increase. True to their word, an intriguing rumor has emerged in the past few days, with Lance Zierlein of NFL.com suggesting that the Houston Texans, rather than the Chicago Bears, will be the team making the first pick in the 2023 draft, indicating that a trade between the two is likely. Benjamin Allbright, a prominent insider, has supported this claim, advising smart individuals to bet on Houston obtaining the pick. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog, who has proven to have reliable NFL sources, has reached out to them and revealed that they all predicted Houston would make the first pick, though none of them had specific knowledge.
The Texans' urgency to acquire the top draft pick may have stemmed from recent comments made by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who expressed his admiration for Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and stated his team's intention to draft that position. The Texans likely do not want to risk a division rival beating them to the quarterback they want, hence their determination to acquire the top draft pick.
As for the Chicago Bears, they appear to be in an advantageous position with two division rivals vying against each other, which should create a strong market for the top pick. If other teams become involved, GM Ryan Poles could receive a generous package of extra picks when the draft concludes in April. Initial estimates predict that if the Bears move down from the top pick to the second pick, they will likely receive two second-round picks. Although this may not secure a future first-round pick, one of the second-round picks would be at the top of the round, allowing the Bears to select the best player on their board.
Furthermore, if the Bears move down again, they could potentially acquire even more picks, given the number of teams that may become desperate to acquire the top quarterback prospects. As a result, Poles can afford to be patient as the draft plays out, and the longer he waits, the more teams may become desperate to obtain the top pick.
