It’s not even April yet. That doesn’t seem to have stopped the NFL from doing its thing. In the space of just a few minutes on Friday, the entire landscape of the 2021 draft next month changed. It started with the San Francisco 49ers offering a massive package to Miami to move up from the #12 pick to #3 overall. Then moments later, the Dolphins struck again by jumping back up from #12 to #6 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Just like that the entire outlook of the 1st round changed. So how does this impact the Chicago Bears?
Let’s start with the obvious. San Francisco moving up to #3 is a dead giveaway that they’re planning to take a quarterback. Presuming the other prediction that the Jets will also take one at #2 overall? This means three quarterbacks will be going in the top 3 picks. One can safely extrapolate from there that a mad rush could ensue to secure the final two of the top five QBs within the next few picks.
Or the Atlanta Falcons could just take one at #4.
Remember Matt Ryan is 36-years old. His time runs short. This could be the best chance they’ll have to secure his successor. Barring that, it’s a fair assessment that several QB-needy teams could seek to jump into their spot via trade. Carolina (#8), Denver (#9), and New England (#15) all have voids at the position. This paints a clear picture for Chicago. If they want to get one of those remaining guys, be it Mac Jones, Trey Lance, or Justin Fields? They’ll have to aim high and it’s going to cost a fortune.
On the flip side, such a mad rush at quarterback could be a blessing in disguise. It means top talents at other positions will end up going later than they probably should. Positions like offensive tackle, cornerback, and wide receiver are still pressing needs for the Bears. If somebody who should’ve gone in the top 10 somehow slips to #20? That is a huge victory for this team. So while the QB question may remain unanswered, there is a potential silver lining to all this movement.
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Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
Trade: #Eagles have traded picks No. 6 and No. 156 overall to the Dolphins in exchange for No. 12 overall, No. 123 overall, and a 2022 first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/Nzy949CsX4
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 26, 2021
Chicago Bears quarterback ambitions may have to wait
It’s possible they knew this too. People love to rag on GM Ryan Pace but he has shown a keen understanding of how the league works. He probably knew there was going to be a mad dash to secure spots in the top 5 for quarterbacks. That is why the Bears move quickly to grab Andy Dalton when they did. It’s not the ideal scenario they were hoping for, but it at least gives them a semblance of a plan.
Stabilize the QB position with a decent veteran and then play the board as it falls. In this case, a really good chance that a top offensive prospect falls to them at #20. It is something that has happened quite frequently in recent years. Justin Jefferson fell to #22 last year. D.J. Moore fell to #24 in 2018. Ryan Ramczyk dropped all the way to #32 in 2017. If the Chicago Bears play their cards right, they could end up with a big-time contributor for their offense.
Unless Pace does his thing and swerves everybody with a defensive pick.
These two trades, more than anything, solidified the likely course ahead for Chicago. Barring an expected trade for Russell Wilson, they won’t be making a splash move for a quarterback next month. All of them will be long gone by the time a move up even becomes conceivable. Everything points to them staying put and taking the best player available. If the board breaks as it could next month, that should yield a quality talent.