Ranking Every Chicago Bears WR Trade Target By Likelihood

The Chicago Bears can't go with the status quo again in 2023. What they have at wide receiver isn't enough. The combination of Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool is interesting, but a third presence is obviously missing. They need another option for Justin Fields if this passing game is finally going to take off next season. GM Ryan Poles will have some possibilities to consider. Free agency is largely devoid of any. There is nobody on the market worthy of being called a true #1 target. So either Poles will focus on the draft, or he might dabble in the trade market again.

He's already done it twice with N'Keal Harry and Claypool. So he isn't afraid to explore the market if the deal feels right. There could be some interesting names available this spring. Let's go over the ones with the strongest likelihood of actually being dealt and the odds of the Bears being the team to get them.

Chicago Bears' list of options is interesting, if not impressive.

6. Brandin Cooks

Compensation: 4th or 5th round pick

Why: For a guy that is routinely able to produce 1,000 yards every season, it's remarkable how many times Cooks has been traded. He's still one of the best deep threats in the league. The Bears value speed and athleticism under this new regime. Fields has one of the best deep throws in football. It feels like a natural fit. The problem is Cooks would simply be a more expensive version of Darnell Mooney.

5. D.J. Moore

Compensation: 2nd round pick

Why: He turns 26 years old in April. His age fits the timeline of the Bears' rebuild. He can grow with Fields. His quickness, speed, and route-running prowess fit with this offense. He's cracked 1,000 yards in three of the last four seasons. The problem is Carolina likely isn't keen on dealing him right as they're trying to find their quarterback of the future. Maybe they will try to package him with more picks to secure #1 overall.

4. Mike Evans

Compensation: 2nd round pick

Why: It's crazy to think he is over 10,000 yards in his career and hasn't even turned 30 yet. Evans has been a security blanket for every Buccaneers quarterback since 2014 and was instrumental in their Super Bowl victory two years ago. He is a true #1 target and a likely future Hall of Famer. His contract isn't a problem, but his age and the price for acquiring him might not be something Poles wants to consider.

3. Michael Pittman Jr.

Compensation: 2nd round pick and change

Why: The ascent of Alec Pierce makes Pittman's situation interesting. He has been a steady presence as the Colts have gone through one washed-up quarterback after another. He's big, strong, and fast enough to deserve respect from defensive backs. Any deal for him would likely involve swapping the #1 and #4 picks, so the likelihood is hard to gauge. His being only 25 does make it an appealing idea.

2. DeAndre Hopkins

Compensation: 4th or 5th round pick

Why: When healthy, Hopkins remains a dominant presence. His route-running and insane hand-eye coordination allow him to make almost any tough catch look routine. For Arizona, his bloated contract will make it difficult for most teams to have an interest. The Chicago Bears are one of the few exceptions. They can handle that deal, and he'd be cheap to acquire. Unfortunately, he turns 31 years old this season.

1. Tyler Boyd

Compensation: 4th or 5th round pick

The Cincinnati Bengals are about to pay Tee Higgins lots of money. Ja'Marr Chase won't be far behind. They may have no choice but to clear out some cap space to maintain flexibility. Boyd's contract is more than manageable and he remains one of the most dependable slot receivers in the NFL. He's also still only 28 years old. His presence would make life a lot easier for Mooney and Claypool, allowing them to play outside.