Bears reportedly could trade out of ninth overall pick in NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears have been a major player this offseason, having entered with the first overall pick and the most cap space in the league.
It wasn't a secret that GM Ryan Poles desired to move down in the draft, which he did in a deal with Carolina earlier this month. As part of the return, Chicago now holds the ninth overall selection, but a different team may own the pick come April 27.
According to ESPN 1000's David Kaplan, rumors circulating at the NFL Annual League Meeting suggest Chicago is still "open for business" and willing to trade back in the draft again.
"A lot of smoke out of the owners meetings that the Bears are absolutely open for business trading pick 9 to move back a handful of slots, still get a good player and add more draft capital," Kaplan said on his YouTube channel.
While Poles has filled some of the Bears' holes, many remain. They were the worst team in the league last season, after all. In the long run, it might be more advantageous for Chicago to trade down again and continue collecting future picks rather than drafting the best player available at No. 9.
Since Poles no longer controls the draft, compensation for another trade largely depends on how the board unfolds on draft day. Several quarterbacks should hear their names called before the ninth pick, which could limit the number of teams interested in trading up.
If Chicago is open to trading more than a few spots back and a quarterback falls to its pick, Baltimore, holding the 22nd pick, could be a potential trade partner. Although Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley is on the roster, Baltimore is likely in the market for a signal-caller due to Lamar Jackson's trade request.
Baltimore placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, which means it will receive two first-round picks if he signs with another team. Trading back from the ninth pick to the 22nd is a substantial enough drop that could net Chicago one of those picks.
With the 22nd pick, the Bears could be in range to land Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright or Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers, both of whom would address needs.
The Bears allowed 58 sacks in 2022, the fourth-most in the NFL, and the only upgrade to the offensive line was the signing of former Titans guard Nate Davis. And despite the acquisition of D.J. Moore, wideouts Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney are free agents next offseason, so the need for a receiver may eventually arise.
The 6-foot-5, 333-pound Wright was a four-year starter in Knoxville and didn't allow a sack in his final 19 games. Last season, he earned first-team All-SEC honors and was named a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award.
Flowers, a two-time first-team All-ACC selection, recorded 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns on 78 receptions last season. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Flowers heading to Baltimore 22nd overall in his latest mock draft.
Poles earned an impressive return from his trade with Carolina, but by continuing to acquire draft capital, Chicago would have the flexibility to make more aggressive moves in the future.
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