Wednesday, March 27, 2024

If The Chicago Bears Trade Down, This Is Their Likely Target

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The Chicago Bears hold the 9th pick in the draft. The hottest discussions right now center on two topics. Who they will take at that spot and whether or not they might trade down again. There have already been rumors about GM Ryan Poles exploring the possibility of moving back a second time. He loves the idea of stockpiling more draft picks and seems to feel the true strength of the draft is between the 20th and 50th picks. However, it’s always important to keep one thing in mind. A general manager would not trade down unless there’s a certain possibility he still lands a player he’d be happy with.

To get an answer to this question, I decided to dig around on what the top draft experts think about how the board may fall next month. I looked at names that may or may not fit the Bears’ vision. After some deliberating, one stuck out above the rest. That is Iowa defensive end, Lukas Van Ness. While never a “starter” for the Hawkeyes, his 6’5, 275 lbs frame, 34-inch arms, brute strength, and excellent quickness fit everything the Bears could want in a 4-3 edge rusher. Based on the latest mock drafts, experts see him going somewhere in the mid-teens to early 20s range.

The Chicago Bears’ decision will be determined by the market.

If nobody is interested in moving up, there isn’t much Poles can do. He will have to settle for looking at his board and taking the best player. However, that changes if a quarterback somehow slips to the ninth spot. Then teams like Tennessee (#11), Washington (#16), and Tampa Bay (#19) come into the picture. There is also a strong possibility somebody will want to come up for one of the top cornerbacks. If he gets an offer worth accepting, then it’s time to put Van Ness on the board.

While many agree he isn’t quite a finished product yet due to technique issues, he is a physical specimen that showed lots of progress. Few offensive tackles can handle his power. If he can create a more diverse arsenal of moves and perhaps improve as a speed rusher, he is somebody that can get you double-digit sacks every year. It would be a calculated risk. Then again, this Chicago Bears regime has already shown they aren’t afraid to do something like this on a smaller scale.

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13 COMMENTS

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Tom Waddle
Tom Waddle
Mar 24, 2023 8:11 am

JF1_baller and Gator Joe: If you don’t like Martins comments then why do yiou read them? Come on guys stop being such douche bags. I actually prefer reading his comments over Erik’s blog. Martin is actually much more informative.

Bill Kowalski
Bill Kowalski
Mar 23, 2023 8:52 pm

Van Ness is a beast! If the Bears don’t land OTs Jones or Johnson…and DE Wilson is gone, they should take Van Ness at 9. If they trade down they risk not getting him. DE and OT are the priorities for their top pick, so they need to land any one of these four players with the 9th pick!!!

Gator Joe
Mar 23, 2023 8:00 pm

@JF1_baller:. Ha ha ha. About time somebody called out this know it all windbag who wants to make a NT out of the best 3T in this draft.

Last edited 1 year ago by Gator Joe
glen metcalfe
glen metcalfe
Mar 23, 2023 7:26 pm

really wish SPORTS MOCKERY would deal with these 3rd world DOUCHEBAGS like Nevaeh Allissa below me! So sick of these people EVERYWHERE! Stop the boats/planes with TARGET PRACTICE

JF1_baller
JF1_baller
Mar 23, 2023 6:25 pm

@Martin Melhus you are quite the gas bag always blathering on. Do you teach special ed kids or something?

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