The Chicago Bears don't have to worry about anything with the #1 pick. It's the highest in the draft. Nobody can jump ahead of them. GM Ryan Poles is free to take whoever he wants. Everybody assumes it will be USC quarterback Caleb Williams. That was expected. He's been touted as a future top pick for the past two years. Many even put him in the same category of quarterback prospects as Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence. While that might be a slight stretch, there is no denying his ability.
Things get far murkier when the conversation shifts to the #9 pick. There is no end to possible scenarios that could unfold in the seven picks between #1 and the Bears' next time on the clock. After some brainstorming, I decided to illustrate what I feel would be the best and worst-case scenarios for this team.
Worst-case scenario
- Bears - Caleb Williams
- Commanders - Jayden Daniels
- Trade - Vikings - Drake Maye
- Trade - Giants - J.J. McCarthy
- Chargers - Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Cardinals - Malik Nabers
- Titans - Joe Alt
- Trade - Jets - Rome Odunze
This outcome is brutal for multiple reasons. It starts with the Vikings landing Maye, arguably the most physically gifted quarterback in this class. He gets to play with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to start his career while Kevin O'Connell coaches him. Potentially bad news for the division. Then the Bears watch as all three top receivers and the top offensive tackle come off the board. If that weren't bad enough, they also lose significant trade leverage when the Jets jump them for Odunze. That removes the threat of them grabbing another top tackle, which would've compelled tackle-needy teams to move up. Chicago is left with little choice but to likely stay put and take the best defender on their board.
Chicago Bears Best-case scenario
- Bears - Caleb Williams
- Commanders - Drake Maye
- Patriots - Jayden Daniels
- Trade - Giants - J.J. McCarthy
- Chargers - Joe Alt
- Cardinals - Marvin Harrison
- Titans - JC Latham
- Falcons - Dallas Turner
This outcome benefits the Chicago Bears in several ways. It ensures the Vikings don't end up with one of the top quarterbacks, putting them in Sam Darnold purgatory. It leaves not one but two of the top receivers still on the board. Most importantly, it leaves the Jets at #10, meaning the Bears have their leverage with those offensive-tackle-needy teams. That gives Poles excellent odds of getting a favorable trade offer to move down if he wishes. It's a sweet spot to be in. Either he takes another weapon for his new quarterback or likely adds another pass rusher after swinging a trade to stockpile more picks.
