Three Bears Potentially Available for Trade in the NFL Draft
The NFL draft ranks as the second most electrifying event on the league's calendar, trailing only behind the Super Bowl.
What adds to the thrill of the NFL Draft are the unpredictable trades that inevitably unfold. Last year, the Houston Texans made a bold move by selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud as the second overall pick, then traded up with the Arizona Cardinals to secure the third overall pick, choosing defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
While such aggressive trades aren't an annual occurrence, smaller-scale deals involving players for mid-to-late-round draft capital are common. With two years of roster building under general manager Ryan Poles, the Bears find themselves in a position to potentially trade players during the draft.
Here are three players the Bears might consider moving on from to acquire additional picks:
1. Velus Jones Jr.With the addition of wide receiver Keenan Allen, Jones's roster spot could be in jeopardy. Despite being a former third-round pick in the 2022 draft, Jones has struggled to meet expectations, catching only 52.4% of his passes in his first two NFL seasons. Additionally, his performance in the return game has been inconsistent. While Jones possesses remarkable speed, his catching issues may prompt the Bears to explore trade options, potentially fetching a sixth or seventh-round pick.
2. Dominique RobinsonSelected in the same draft class as Velus Jones, Robinson was picked in the sixth round (174th overall) in the 2022 draft. Transitioning from quarterback to wide receiver during his college career at the University of Miami, Robinson eventually found success as a defensive end. However, his development has been slow, and his production hasn't met expectations. Despite playing significant snaps in his rookie season, Robinson's output remained modest, and his sophomore year failed to show significant improvement. If the Bears prioritize drafting a defensive end early, Robinson's tenure in Chicago could be cut short, potentially yielding a sixth-round pick or less.
3. Khalil HerbertWhile trading Khalil Herbert is less probable than the other scenarios, it's worth considering given the depth at the running back position. With the recent signing of D'andre Swift and the emergence of second-year running back Roschon Johnson, Herbert finds himself as the third option in the backfield. Despite showing promise as a backup running back, Herbert's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024-2025 season. If the Bears don't intend to retain him, trading Herbert for a third or fourth-round pick could be a strategic move to bolster their draft assets.
In the whirlwind of NFL Draft speculation, trading players for draft picks offers teams the opportunity to reshape their rosters and secure future talent. As the Bears contemplate their draft-day strategies, these potential trade scenarios could play a pivotal role in their offseason plans.
| POLL | ||
10 AVRIL | 48 ANSWERS Three Bears Potentially Available for Trade in the NFL Draft Do you think trading players for draft picks is a smart strategy for NFL teams? | ||
| yes | 40 | 83.3 % |
| No | 8 | 16.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
