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Why is trading down such a rampant discussion at this point? The simple explanation is there isn’t a clear cut talent there for the taking at #3. At least not based on recent projections. After Myles Garrett, the consensus top pick in the draft, the waters muddy in a hurry. Most tend to agree that LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas and Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen are next on the list.
Yet there are problems with that. Fournette and Allen have injury histories that are quite worrisome. Thomas? His tape shows an undeniable game-wrecking ability. At the same time many people aren’t sure where he fits. Is he a 4-3 or 3-4 guy? His body type and skill set are a unique mix. Nonetheless if given the choice, Bears fans would love him as the pick.
That is unless the San Francisco 49ers swipe him at #2. The only way this doesn’t happen is if the team decides to take a quarterback. Given the lukewarm opinion on this QB class, that’s unlikely. Also there is the expectation the 49ers are switching to a 4-3 defense, making Thomas’ fit easier to envision.
Seen some folks saying Solomon Thomas doesn't fit #49ers b/c of Armstead/Buckner. They are the ones who will struggle to fit, IMO.
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) March 17, 2017
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If that’s true, then it actually helps the Bears from the trade perspective. How? If the Browns go with Garrett as expected and the 49ers take Thomas, that means every quarterback will be available at the #3 pick in the draft. This immediately increases its value. Teams covet a pick where they feel they could get a QB of their choice.
However, it takes more than that to drive up interest. Part of trading down is instilling fear. The fear that the player a team wants might be gone unless they move up to that spot. Thus the Bears have to make other teams think a quarterback could be taken shortly after their turn at #3. Well it seems they might be getting a big boost from an unexpected location.
