Bears Mailbag — Will Bears Push To Change Their Draft Positioning?

Another week, another good bit of nothing going on in the NFL world for the Chicago Bears.  They are trudging on ahead with their draft preparation; so there’s that.

The Sam Darnold-to-the-Panthers (Why, Carolina?) trade certainly turned a few heads, but otherwise, it’s been a mundane week (except for fans continuing to call for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy’s heads).

THIS much for SAM DARNOLD?

Good for the Jets. https://t.co/SA4rz1qDed

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 5, 2021

With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag.  Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.

Bears Mailbag

I think they stay at 20, unless an elite prospect like Rashawn Slater or Jaylen Waddle starts to drop.

I doubt they trade down either — they can get a very good prospect considering the likely early run on QBs. Unless they get a significant return, why do it?

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

The Bears *won't* be moving up to 4 — they don't have the luxury of wasting a pick on a project QB who will eventually fail.

Meanwhile, the more I watch Kellen Mond, the worse my opinion of his ability to start in the NFL. I wouldn't waste a pick on him, either.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

I'd be surprised if Gipson isn't back. It's clear the market isn't moving quickly anymore. His best bet might be to return on a cheap deal. I'm expecting it.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

I'd watch these positions (in order):

OT
CB
WR

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

I would not hold out much hope that the Bears would be making any sort of blockbuster trades for either a QB early in Round 1 or for Russell Wilson. They are likely to roll with Dalton and build the offensive infrastructure instead.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

The Bears will continue to make efforts to ship Nick Foles off via trade, but it's looking more likely that Foles will be on the roster.

I'd imagine the Bears add a project QB at some point, but it would be someone needing to sit for a while.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

Unlikely, because Wilson (publicly) does not have Carolina on his approved list. We'll see if that changes.

Also, the Bears should absolutely not be considering a trade up to 4. To get the fourth-"best" QB in this draft would be a terrible gamble.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

I want to watch more of his tape, but he's a project, IMO. A very unpolished Mac Jones type of QB.

He *might* have more arm talent, but I haven't been able to discern that yet.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

That's not what it cost. It cost Carolina three draft picks to get Sam Darnold. That's absurd.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

My guess:

LT Draft Pick
LG Whitehair
C Mustipher
RG Daniels
RT Ifedi

OR

Swap the Draft Pick at RT and Ifedi becomes a swing tackle. Leno remains at LT.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

Kyle Pitts is an incredible prospect and would make the Bears' offense more dangerous.

But that's not a smart move for a team that has several needs to upgrade the offense and limited impactful resources.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

I don't see them trading up for a QB. They'd get a likely-to-bust prospect at that point and, given the seasoning the QB would need, it wouldn't help Pace and Nagy win in 2021, which they need to do.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021

Feleipe Franks is an intriguing prospect. He has much to learn and refine, but his physical tools are immense and he's likely to go later in the draft, given the polish he needs.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 7, 2021