Trade Up? Trade Back? Chicago Bears Insider Confirms Likely Outcome At #9

The Chicago Bears feel like a team that is hard to pin down after the #1 pick. They also hold the 9th pick later in the 1st round. While they could easily stay put and just take the best player on their board, an increased sense is emerging closer to the NFL draft that GM Ryan Poles won't do that. Chicago is expected to make a move. Surprisingly, people aren't sure which direction. The logical idea is they move back, hoping to secure extra picks to bolster their current four. On the other hand, there's an undercurrent of buzz that Poles may actually move up if the right player comes in striking distance. In this case, most likely Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Adam Hoge of CHGO spoke to ESPN insider Courtney Cronin about this situation. From her perspective, it doesn't sound like the Bears have any plans to move up. There is a far stronger likelihood that if the board falls the right way, Poles will look to move down.

This isn't surprising. Poles has never had fewer than ten picks in a draft, so the idea of him being comfortable with four never felt right. The only uncertainty is whether he can find a trade partner who will give him the return he'd be happy with.

The Chicago Bears should have multiple interested suitors.

And for different reasons, too. Denver and Las Vegas could be interested in a quarterback. New Orleans may seek offensive tackle help. Indianapolis and Jacksonville both need offensive playmakers at wide receiver or tight end. Much of this depends on the offers and how far Poles is willing to move back. The odds say it wouldn't be much further than the mid-teens. He will still want a decent spot to land a top player on his board. Most likely a pass rusher or an offensive lineman in that range.

This is why the Chicago Bears remain an exciting topic of discussion. Nobody knows what they're going to do, and the list of possibilities is endless. Everything comes down to how comfortable Poles is moving down. If he thinks some of the options at #9 are too difficult to pass up, then stay put and take them. Chicago has nine picks in next year's draft. They can afford to have limited selections for one year, especially when two of those selections are possible blue-chip talents. Even so, everything points to trading down.