If The Chicago Bears Trade Down, This Is Their Likely Target

The Chicago Bears hold the 9th pick in the draft. The hottest discussions right now center on two topics. Who they will take at that spot and whether or not they might trade down again. There have already been rumors about GM Ryan Poles exploring the possibility of moving back a second time. He loves the idea of stockpiling more draft picks and seems to feel the true strength of the draft is between the 20th and 50th picks. However, it's always important to keep one thing in mind. A general manager would not trade down unless there's a certain possibility he still lands a player he'd be happy with.

To get an answer to this question, I decided to dig around on what the top draft experts think about how the board may fall next month. I looked at names that may or may not fit the Bears' vision. After some deliberating, one stuck out above the rest. That is Iowa defensive end, Lukas Van Ness. While never a "starter" for the Hawkeyes, his 6'5, 275 lbs frame, 34-inch arms, brute strength, and excellent quickness fit everything the Bears could want in a 4-3 edge rusher. Based on the latest mock drafts, experts see him going somewhere in the mid-teens to early 20s range.

• Mel Kiper (ESPN): 15th
• Todd McShay (ESPN): 18th
• Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com): 10th
• Charles Davis (NFL.com): 26th
• Trevor Sikkema (PFF): 15th
• Brentley Weissman (TDN): 23rd

The Chicago Bears' decision will be determined by the market.

If nobody is interested in moving up, there isn't much Poles can do. He will have to settle for looking at his board and taking the best player. However, that changes if a quarterback somehow slips to the ninth spot. Then teams like Tennessee (#11), Washington (#16), and Tampa Bay (#19) come into the picture. There is also a strong possibility somebody will want to come up for one of the top cornerbacks. If he gets an offer worth accepting, then it's time to put Van Ness on the board.

While many agree he isn't quite a finished product yet due to technique issues, he is a physical specimen that showed lots of progress. Few offensive tackles can handle his power. If he can create a more diverse arsenal of moves and perhaps improve as a speed rusher, he is somebody that can get you double-digit sacks every year. It would be a calculated risk. Then again, this Chicago Bears regime has already shown they aren't afraid to do something like this on a smaller scale.