Other NFL Teams Reportedly Think Chicago Bears Trade Down From #9

The Chicago Bears are easy to predict in the upcoming draft because everybody knows they're taking Caleb Williams #1 overall. It is all but a lock at this point. However, the intrigue doesn't end with that. GM Ryan Poles also holds the #9 pick, giving him a golden opportunity to keep adding high-end talent to his roster. Experts have debated for weeks about what the Bears will do at that spot. Many feel certain they take a top wide receiver, presuming one of the three best options falls to them. Others think they will go for a pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat.

An interesting question to ask is what other NFL teams think. Field Yates of ESPN did exactly that. He reached out to teams and asked them who they think are the most intriguing opponents in the top 10. Two notable ones came up.

What NFL teams think other NFL teams will do in the draft should not be interpreted as gospel, but when I ask team personnel about intriguing opponents picking in the top 10, two that come up often are the Chicago Bears and New York Jets. Why? The potential of a trade down. Chicago has just four picks right now, fewest in the NFL, while the Jets lack a second-round pick and have a plan now at both offensive tackle spots following an active offseason. Given the number of teams that will be angling hard for OTs early, could either of those teams be incentivized to move down?

The widespread belief in the draft community is that this is one of the most talented offensive tackle classes in recent memory, headlined by Notre Dame's Joe Alt, Penn State's Olu Fashanu, and Alabama's JC Latham. When looking at the slate behind the Jets at #10, there is no shortage of teams who need tackle help. New Orleans (#14), Cincinnati (#18), Pittsburgh (#20), and Dallas (#24) stand out the most.

The Chicago Bears' decision to move down hinges on two things.

One is who is available at #9 and the other is how much teams are offering to move up. There is almost certainly at least one or two names Poles would be unwilling to give up by moving down. It is impossible to know who they are, but they exist. Presuming none of them reach that spot, then it becomes a matter of price. There is no way Poles will move down for a smattering of Day 3 picks. If he's going to drop, he will want something substantial. Not only do the Bears have only four picks total, but they have none in the 2nd round.

It is reasonable to assume he'd like to get one, if possible. Looking at the potential teams who might trade up, New Orleans feels like the most plausible. They have a history of moving up in the 1st round going back years. Dropping to the 14th pick isn't too steep to where the Chicago Bears might miss out on all the true difference-makers in the 1st round. The Saints have good reasons to be desperate for tackle help. Ryan Ramczyk hasn't recovered from a nasty knee injury. Trevor Penning has been a disappointment. They need more stability.

This will be a fascinating scenario to watch.