Jimmy Johnson had a great line about how he built the Dallas Cowboys dynasty. He said, "The way this league works, if we just take our picks as they fall, it's going to be a long time before we get good." That was the overriding motivation behind the frantic number of trades his team made from 1989 through 1992 that transformed it into a juggernaut. It's also why the Chicago Bears should be considered a prime team to do the same in 2017.
GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox aren't fools. They know the score. After going 6-10 in 2015 and 3-13 this past season, the pressure is mounting for them to take a big step forward this coming year. Letting things fall where they do, both in free agency and the draft doesn't feel like a winning strategy at this point.
That means the Bears have to start getting aggressive in their pursuit of talent. Often a favorite way of doing that is through trades, namely in the NFL draft. Last year they traded up to grab Leonard Floyd at #9. Early signs hint that was a good decision. Could this team do some more maneuvering? Yes, and here are some ideas that make sense.
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Why it's possible:
The Titans are loaded up with extra picks. So they're free to move up the board whenever they wish. They have two first rounders and two third rounders. Unloading even the lower of those extra thirds would be a good value pick for them. Keep in mind this is a team that is desperate need of help on defense. There is a considerable risk of them sitting behind Jacksonville at #4 that the guy they might covet will be scooped, whomever that might be.
For the Bears it's not a hard decision. They move back two spots but stay in the top five while collecting an extra pick in the top 100. More ammunition is never a bad thing for a GM like Ryan Pace. Given some of the gems he's found in later rounds like Jordan Howard, it stands to reason he can do plenty with another third rounder.
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#3 Pick to Jets for #6 Pick and Sheldon Richardson
Why it's possible: It's no secret New York has been looking to shop the young defensive end for months. Not only has he been somewhat of a headache off-the-field, the fact is they can't afford to pay him the contract he'll want. Not with Muhammad Wilkerson already getting his money and Leonard Williams is becoming a star as well. Here is what ESPN writer Rich Cimini had to say on the subject."Yes, I expect the Jets to shop him again. They have a surplus of defensive lineman and could do without his antics, especially with coach Todd Bowles trying to rebuild the locker room chemistry. After talking to some people around the league, the sense I get is the Jets won't be able to get more than a third-round pick for him. The Patriots traded Chandler Jones last offseason for what amounted to a second-round pick, and he was coming off a productive year."Going from the #6 slot to the #3 slot in the first round of a draft is widely considered worth the same value as a high second round pick. Thus the Jets would actually be getting more out of the deal than they would just getting a compensatory selection from him. They get a higher pick on the board and the Bears get a young, productive defensive lineman to play alongside Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman.
#3 Pick to Titans for #5 pick and 3rd Rounder
Why it's possible:
The Titans are loaded up with extra picks. So they're free to move up the board whenever they wish. They have two first rounders and two third rounders. Unloading even the lower of those extra thirds would be a good value pick for them. Keep in mind this is a team that is desperate need of help on defense. There is a considerable risk of them sitting behind Jacksonville at #4 that the guy they might covet will be scooped, whomever that might be.
For the Bears it's not a hard decision. They move back two spots but stay in the top five while collecting an extra pick in the top 100. More ammunition is never a bad thing for a GM like Ryan Pace. Given some of the gems he's found in later rounds like Jordan Howard, it stands to reason he can do plenty with another third rounder.
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#3 Pick to Bills for #10 Pick, 2nd Rounder and QB Tyrod Taylor
Why it's possible: It appears the Buffalo Bills are seriously considering a plan to move on from quarterback Tyrod Taylor despite his 14-14 record and one Pro Bowl appearance in two seasons as their starter. This would seem to indicate that GM Doug Whaley was never in favor of his promotion two years ago and went along with it because of former head coach Rex Ryan. Bleacher Report analyst Matt Miller is hearing that the team is thinking about possibly trading up in the first round for a new quarterback."The Buffalo Bills have to add a quarterback early in this draft, and speaking to a rival GM about that opening, he said, "They'll draft one in the first two rounds, and if I had to pick it'd be [Deshaun] Watson based on what [Doug Whaley] likes and how he thinks."If that's the case, then the Bears are in ideal position to oblige him. They need a quarterback as well, but would prefer somebody with experience who can start immediately. Taylor fits that description perfectly. They can afford his current contract as is and will appreciate his ability to limit turnovers. In essence the Bills would unload a contract and player they don't want for just a second round pick to just seven spots in the top 10. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Brandin-Cooks-Burns-the-Raiders-for-a-98-Yard-TD-Catch-from-Brees-Raiders-vs.-Saints-NFL.mp4"][/video]
#3 Pick to Saints for #11 Pick, 3rd Rounder and WR Brandin Cooks
Why it's possible: Don't forget that Pace was director of player personnel for the New Orleans Saints three years ago. He knows GM Mickey Loomis well. So dialogue wouldn't be a problem. Loomis also isn't afraid of boldly trading away valuable offensive pieces in order for advantageous draft position. He unloaded Jimmy Graham back in 2015, don't forget. Besides that, Adam Schefter of ESPN already indicated young receiver Brandin Cooks might be on the block."Multiple teams believe that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks' name could surface in trade talks this offseason, sources told ESPN. Cooks has acknowledged frustration with his role in the Saints' offense, expressing himself after a zero-target day against the Los Angeles Rams last week. He believes he is used too often as a clear-out receiver instead of as a primary option, sources told ESPN's Mike Triplett."The Bears are making changes at quarterback, so they'll need all the help they can get. With Alshon Jeffery threatening to leave, adding a dynamic deep threat like Cooks certainly would soften the blow of such a loss. Imagine also the possibility of getting him and bringing Jeffery back. Chicago would certainly be set up well on offense. Not to mention the extra third round pick. Meanwhile the Saints go from outside the top 10 to the top three. All without giving up any future picks. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Joe-Haden-Picks-Off-Joe-Flacco-in-the-End-Zone-Ravens-vs.-Browns-NFL.mp4"][/video]
#3 Pick to Browns for #12 Pick, 2nd Rounder and CB Joe Haden
Why it's possible: Cleveland is overloaded with high draft choices. They have two first and two second round picks. Also they seem intent on overhauling the roster from top to bottom. That means shipping off veteran players however they can. Word has been out for awhile that they're interested in moving cornerback Joe Haden.Haden turns 28-years old in April of this year. He's dealt with some injury problems the past couple years but played well in 13 games for the Browns last season, notching three interceptions. He's a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who can play lock down coverage on the outside. That is exactly something the Bears secondary doesn't have. Packaging him and a second round choice (remember they have two), the Browns could be in prime position to make two of the first three picks in the entire 2017 draft. In other words they could get stud pass rusher Myles Garrett #1 as expected, and then possibly have their choice of the top quarterbacks as well depending on what San Francisco does at #2. Meanwhile Chicago gets an extra high pick and a potentially huge boost to their pass coverage. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/J.J.-Watt-Micd-Up-in-DOMINATING-performance-vs.-Titans-Sound-FX.mp4"][/video]
