One thing about the Chicago Bears under new GM Ryan Poles is that they aren’t going to do things conventionally. He’s already proven that he will go against the grain if he feels it’s best for the franchise. Poles already proved that when he traded away the top pick in this draft for multiple current and future assets. What people want to know is what happens next. There are plenty of rumors. So this feels like the right time to unload some potential bold predictions about what is to come.
The key to these is not to get overly crazy. There must be a sliver of believability to each prediction. See if you agree with any of them.
The Chicago Bears are going to pull off some shockers.
They trade down from #9 and take Darnell Wright
It’s possible a team takes a tackle before the 9th pick, but most experts don’t believe it will happen. The odds are favorable that every player at the position will be available when the Bears are up. That gives Poles the green light to move down in a trade. Presuming his goal is to land a top tackle, then one of them figures to be available even after dropping a few more spots. So why Wright? He fits what they love. He’s big, long, athletic, and violent. Most importantly, he is the only pure right tackle of the top options. That is what this team needs. He can plug right into that spot.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
They draft a quarterback before the 5th r.ound
With all due respect to P.J. Walker, his talent level won’t scare teams if he comes into games. The Bears signed him because he’s a scheme fit. Beyond that, he has too many limitations. Combine that with Justin Fields’ uncertain future beyond 20, and the Bears may at least seek a talented project they can develop. That means taking one somewhere in the first four rounds. There will be intriguing options. Hendon Hooker would be a 1st rounder if not for his torn ACL. Tanner McKee has good see and arm strength. His fundamentals and processing need work. Either could be starters down the line.
They won’t draft a wide receiver.
This might stun a lot of people, given the questionable depth and the fact two of their top options have expiring rookie contracts. However, the Chicago Bears have more glaring needs at several other positions. Poles loves the trio of D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool, and Darnell Mooney. They also have Velus Jones and Equanimeous St. Brown as versatile backups. That leaves one spot remaining, which they can easily fill with a veteran at some point after the draft or perhaps an undrafted free agent they like. Poles can reserve his picks for other positions up front or the secondary.
They trade a player on the roster during the draft
Poles has already shown he’s not above unloaded prominent former Ryan Pace picks. If he feels there is an advantage to unloading them, he will. Remember that Mooney, Cole Kmet, and Jaylon Johnson are up for new contracts. What are the odds that Chicago pays all three? Not as likely as you’d like to think. There is a greater possibility that one of them gets traded at some point to help the Bears either acquire another pick or move up the board for a player they covet. If one were to take a guess? The likeliest of that trio is Johnson because cornerbacks are expensive, and this 2023 draft class is rich at the position.
They end up with more picks than they start with
One thing about Poles to remember is he’s a big believer in flexibility. That is to say, the more picks you have, the better your odds are of finding good players. He started with six picks in the 2022 draft and ended up with 11 by the end. He’ll go into this year with ten picks. Don’t be surprised if the Bears end up with somewhere between 12 and 14 by the end after more trades. Poles loves to stockpile Day 3 picks, giving his scouts a chance to pursue guys they love from their year of hard work.
