Chicago Bears Seen as Prime Draft Trade Partner for QB Hunting Team

In three years Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace has held the #7, #11 and #3 picks in the NFL draft respectively. Each one offered him favorable real estate to make a big move down to acquire more picks for his rebuild team. In those three chances, he stayed put once and moved up twice. Three chances, and three instances of Pace saying "Nah, I'm good." It's been 15 years now since the last time the Bears made a big move down from a top spot. That was 2003 when they dropped down twice to acquire the #14 and #22 picks, which became Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the strategy. Nonetheless, there is a growing buzz that Pace could finally consider that move this year. Not only does he have a favorable spot in the #8 pick, but there are a number of QB-needy teams looming further down the board that might be looking to move up. Peter King of the MMQB believes one of them may look to Chicago to pull off their goal.

Chicago Bears slot viewed as prime position for Buffalo Bills

King did his best to predict where every top quarterback in the draft and free agency would end up landing this off-season. His choice for Buffalo was Wyoming standout, Josh Allen. Most rank him among the top four in the 2018 draft class. At present, the general feeling is he'll be going in the top 10. That could be problematic for Buffalo since they hold the #21 and #22 picks.

"Buffalo: Josh Allen. The musical chairs are getting scarce. This could be a McCarron, Keenum or Bradford spot too. If Denver gets Cousins, I could see Elway dealing his one (fifth overall) for Buffalo’s two first-round picks (21, 22) and another high pick this year or next—I could see Tampa Bay, Chicago, Oakland and San Francisco at seven through 10 in round one doing the same—to allow Buffalo to jump up and get a good quarterback prospect."

It's an interesting idea. Essentially the Bears and Bills would swap positions. The Bills get #8 overall and the Bears get #21 and #22. Maybe an extra late rounder gets thrown in as a sweetener. Either way, it depends heavily on Pace. He's said in the past that he isn't the biggest fan of sacrificing opportunities to get difference-making players for his team. His actions over the past three years prove that much. At the same time Pace has proven adept at moving back in the draft and still securing credible talent. Cody Whitehair and Adam Shaheen are examples. It may come down to how much confidence he has that he can land good players despite losing such high position.