Although the move means the Bears will miss out on Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson, it does provide them with much-needed flexibility in the draft. With their newly acquired picks, the Bears can address multiple needs on their roster and build for the future.
The question now is, who will the Bears select with the No. 9 pick? While D.J. Moore helps address the team's receiver problem, the Bears have other areas of need, including offensive line, pass rusher, and defensive tackle. With their newfound draft capital, they have the opportunity to fill these gaps.
Here's the list of picks:
Despite missing out on the No. 1 pick, the Bears are well-positioned for the future. They now have three picks in the first two rounds of the 2023 draft, with none of those picks being their own. This shows the team's willingness to make moves and be aggressive in building their roster.
At No. 9, there are a variety of players who could be available, and the Bears will have plenty of options. The team will also have the chance to address their needs in free agency, which could impact their draft strategy.
In the end, the Bears' trade with the Panthers gives them the flexibility and resources they need to build a competitive team for years to come. While they may have missed out on the chance to draft Will Anderson, the team has set itself up for success with a wealth of draft picks and a willingness to make moves to improve their roster.