Caleb Williams, a quarterback prospect out of USC, is predicted to be selected by the Chicago Bears with the first overall choice in this year’s NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.
If that occurs, the team will have just three draft picks left in this year due to previous trades: their other first-round selection (number 9), a third-round selection (number 75), and a fourth-round selection (number 122). For the 22-year-old Williams, that’s not a lot to base a stronger youthful nucleus on.
Many people think that Ryan Poles, general manager of the Bears, is aware of the team’s paucity of draft capital and may make some moves on draft day to bolster the roster with other young players.
The Chicago Bears Require More Dant Money
Josh Schrock, the Bears Insider for NBC Sports Chicago, imagines a scenario in which Chicago retains their highly valued number one pick and adds some much-needed draft picks.
Schrock suggests three moves the Bears can make to increase their draft day haul in his most recent mock draft.
The Bears traded their ninth pick in the first round and their 2025 third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their first-round pick (no. 21), their second-round pick (no. 51), and a 2025 fifth-round pick. This was the first trade, a trade back, that set up Justin Fields’ destination once more.
Then, there would be two deals on day two, both of them going up.
In the first one, the Los Angeles Rams receive a second-round pick (no. 52) and a third-round pick (no. 83) from the Bears in exchange for their third-round pick (no. 75), a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
In the second transaction, Chicago gives the Arizona Cardinals their freshly acquired third-round pick (number 83) in exchange for their fourth-round pick (number 122) and the third-round pick (number 71) of the Cardinals.
For those who are keeping score, Chicago would acquire four picks in total from these three deals this draft: one first-round selection, two second-round selections, and one third-round selection. They would also receive a fifth-round pick in 2025.
Conversely, they would be trading away their second, third, and fourth round picks in 2025 along with giving up their first-round pick in the ninth overall, a third-round pick, and a fourth-round selection.
Creating Drafts for the Present
In essence, the Bears would receive a sizable amount of draft capital in this year’s draft but would forfeit nearly all of their day two options for the next year. It appears like a team is attempting to build more support in the short term for what many believe to be a first-round pick that might change the course of the organisation.
Could three transactions such as these be completed on draft day? Maybe. It’s certainly feasible, considering GM Poles’ well-deserved image as a man eager to close some significant acquisitions. The Bears seem to want to add some draft money in addition to bringing in a larger class of young players who can develop alongside their new starting quarterback. There should be a lot of interest in the 2024 NFL draft.
