The Chicago Bears sit atop the NFL draft for the first time in 76 years. What makes it even crazier is that nobody can predict what they will do. Usually, when a team picks that high, their goal is obvious. Pick the best quarterback on their board. Six of the last eight #1 picks have been quarterbacks. It doesn’t appear that will be the case in 2023. The Bears seem happy with the direction Justin Fields is headed. That means GM Ryan Poles can do all sorts of things with his lofty draft position.
Taking the best player on the board would be the straightforward decision. He’d have his choice of two excellent defensive prospects in Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Either would likely give a massive boost to the Bears’ depleted defensive line. However, many wonder if Poles might choose to trade back, seeking to stockpile extra draft picks. Insider Benjamin Allbright hinted that this scenario is more likely and that Poles is absolutely considering it.
Ryan Poles has every reason to trade the pick.
His roster is depleted at so many positions. Teams don’t go 3-14 without a severe lack of talent. Adding several more draft choices to his inventory would give him opportunities to stack the depth chart. He’s in a great position too. Opinions are high on the incoming 2023 quarterback class. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are both considered top five guys. Everybody knows the Houston Texans will take one of them at #2 overall. That means if another team wants their preferred QB, they’ll need the #1 spot to get him.
There is no shortage of needy teams too. Indianapolis (#4), Las Vegas (#7), Atlanta (#8), and Carolina (#9) all have holes at the position. If a bidding war starts, Ryan Poles could clean them out and set the Bears up for a massive makeover in the next few months. Much of this depends on his price tag and how far he would be willing to move down. More clarity will come once free agency begins. Some of those teams may try to fill their vacancies with a veteran like Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, or Derek Carr. Those that fail will feel much more urgency to make a splash in the draft. That is when Poles should strike.
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