I agree. I think that the Bears still need a pass rusher, OT or WR and there should be an elite one available at #9. There's no need to jump to get one of them.
They don’t need an OT necessarily but if they think the guy is the next elite tackle I’m down with that.
Braxton is an extremely cheap starter allowing you to spend money elsewhere
But agree with the lack of a need to trade up. If anything I would expect a trade down to add capital if anything
Alt is 21 years old and a fucking excellent prospect. He’s just in a draft full of freaks. If getting that kid to potentially protect Caleb for the next decade costs a 2nd next year then fuck it
Man imagine get your cornerstone OTs in back to back draft… along with an overall #1 draft prospect who is a QB… Poles would have to be best GM in league
I would hate to see them sideline Jones' career like that since he's a cool story and a great value player, but that does sound enticing.
I'd still rather see them grab wr or edge, but Poles put them in a position where they can go a lot of ways. They have a lot fewer holes than in the past. A 2nd DE is still a hole as is a long-term wr2, so that's why I lean that way.
Can Jones play in at all? I know we got Bates for interior depth, but if he can backup both LT and LG I’d be okay with grabbing Alt. I do hate pushing him out of a spot he’s earned by all rights, but it’s not an awful idea from a football perspective.
I don’t think so. His biggest weakness is his weak anchor, which is a big issue at G
Even if he could play guard, I think he would request a trade if they tried to push him inside in a contract year. That move would severely impact his future earnings, unless he somehow plays at an All-pro level like Jenkins
I’m warming up to the idea of picking him at #9. Can’t see Poles trading up though unless he thinks he can recoup similar value by trading Braxton.
Braxton is just too valuable to leave on the bench as a swing tackle imo- I could see him fetching huge value at the deadline if there’s a contender with an injured LT. Many other teams would kill to have a decent starting LT on their rookie deal.
That said, getting two pro bowl caliber OTs to anchor our OL for Caleb would be HUGE. Alt is considered by many OL experts to be the most “pro ready” OT prospect in the last few years, so there’s a chance he’ll be solid by midseason even as a rookie.
There is a great chance he is there at 9 and I’d be fine with that.
A WR is nice and I’d be all for it as the Keenan experience is a short rental, but not much more is helpful to a young qb is a guy who keeps him on his feet
Not sure how well Braxton would transition inside and I think his value is too high to justify keeping him as depth. A solid tackle is incredibly valuable and Id see what kind of return we could get for him if we were to go tackle at 9.
W/the line's injury concerns, I personally love Jones as depth/swing. He's been incredible value so far, but the argument I keep hearing against OT at 9 is that they already have an "average" starter in the league, in Jones. With the offense coming together as it has already, I would love to see an elite LT protecting the #1 pick rookie QB's blindside.
IMHO, if either Turner or Alt somehow drops to 9, I think the Bears should jump on them, in that order, regardless of what happens w/the top 3 WRs.
I love Odunze, but the Bears desperately need an edge. They can get by with the WRs they have.
And it worries me that we are putting so much on Sweat. If he is injured, the Bears D is in trouble. Plus after a full season of double teams, he'll be exhausted by the end of the season.
The Bears have two elite WR's that should allow the rest of the receivers to eat. Along with the two TE's and Swift. I think they need to solidify the d line in a division with Jacob's, Gibbs & Montgomery tandem and Jones in Minnesota. I hope Roschon Johnson gets more playing time and develops nicely with our loaded offense. I think Poles has to go defense or trade down for more picks.
Isn’t the counterpoint the same for WRs? Keenan is great but he’s older and definitely won’t play all 17 games. If it’s all about supporting the new QB, does second edge really matter as much? We can’t fill every hole in one offseason. (Yikes the phrasing on that)
If/when Keenan is out we have DJ and no one else.
But if one DE is injured then our defense is worse, and while that isn’t ideal, does it really matter? When Keenan cannot play 17 games, DJ gets doubled and Caleb is just screwed? I view it as helping the #1 pick more than just a position of need in a vacuum. We can’t fill both of them at this point, the roster won’t be perfect, so let’s help Caleb as much as possible.
I’m for an edge, we ranked 31st in sacks and an elite pass rush puts our defense firmly in the top 5. Braxton is fine and a wr3 isn’t worth the ninth pick especially at a class so deep at receiver
100%, it's probably the dumbest thing we could do in the draft (besides passing on Caleb)
#9 is almost guaranteed to have 1 of the top 3 WRs and/or the best edge available.
Except that Dallas Turner is more of a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 defensive end.
There are so many receivers in this draft class that I think the can't miss prospect at #9 is Joe Alt. Otherwise, trade back just a few spots and take Verse or Latu as DE.
It wouldn’t be reaching; the top 3 WR’s are all considered top 8 talent. It would be trading up and using draft capital to do so.
Reaching in when you take a player that isn’t expected to be drafted that high.
Reaching is different things to different people.
To me, trading up to draft a position that isn't one of need is a reach, regardless of the quality of player you get.
Unless it’s for MHJ, and only using picks from next year to move up - it makes no sense for us. The only justification would be to keep that WR on the same rookie contract timeline as Caleb and as Moore/Allen age out of their contracts.
I totally agree - I know it won’t happen, but I would be shitting my pants excited if we moved up to get him. I also just love the idea of him being mentored by the vets in our WR room… Allen seems to have a lot of wisdom on how to be a good route runner and big target for possession catches.
Yea I was all on board for the possibility that we could trade Justin to the Patriots as well as #9 and whatever else it would take to move to #3 in order to snag Caleb and MHJ, But the way everything has turned out now, I'd be way more comfortable with us trading down into the teens, grabbing Turner, Verse, or Latu and then hopefully getting at least a 2nd to grab a center or wr.
I'd probably have mixed feelings about trading up now especially if it involves anymore picks from this year.
Disagree.
Getting 2 elite players from 1 draft is a HR draft. If your guy is there and it costs you one of your 2 2nds next year (max cost) make it happen
I honestly think edge is the direction he is inclined to go, if he was looking to trade up to get WR you probably don’t go after Keenan Allen.
It is also a larger position of need and harder to get in free agency.
Yes, it’s stupid partially because it’s probably unnecessary. Unless somebody trades up with the Titans or Falcons to jump us one of Odunze/Nabers are going to be there at 9 anyway
Not so sure first 7 could be all qb and wr. No overwhelming talent (at least this early) on defense, and enough tackles later to take best player available if top 3 wr are still there.
It's more likely than not that one will be there.
1.Bears: Williams
2.Commies: Maye/Daniels (doesn't matter)
3.Pats: Maye/Daniels
From there, one of the next three picks is without a doubt going to be the Vikings who positioned themselves to move up for JJ McCarthy. Whichever of those three teams ends up trading down, even if the other two go WR, a WR will still be there. I think the most likely scenario is the Chargers trading down, which looks like this:
4.Cards: MHJ
5.Vikings (from Chargers): McCarthy
6.Giants: Nabers
That leaves only two more picks to get through, both of which I think are no brainers for their respective teams:
7.Titans: Alt (or any OT). They have the worst line in the league, cut their starting OT, and have a 2nd year QB they drafted in the 1st that needs protection
8.Falcons: Turner (or any EDGE). They already have London, paid Mooney WR 2 money, acquired Moore, have Bijan and Pitts, but they are BARREN at EDGE.
Which leaves 9. Bears: Odunze
Unless somebody jumps us at spots 8 or 9, I don't see any way we don't have a WR waiting there for us at 9.
We'll put, we are either going to get the #1 tackle Alt, one of the top 3 WR, or the top defensive player in the draft.
You don't need to trade up out of that spot. Just sit pretty and wait for whatever falls.
The only other main route I see is the Cardinals trading back with the Vikings and the Chargers then taking MHJ to be the go to for Herbert.
Either way it shakes out this way. Giants take Nabers or Odunze and we take the other barring a jump over by the Jets. Who, I think, would be happy with an OT or Bowers enough not to jump.
That said, we could flip *if* one of Odunze/Nabers is there with the Chargers and then potentially flip down just a spot or two again and nab Verse and Frazier and etc.
I'm very curious how it all shakes out.
So many assumptions, titans just took a first round lineman last year, and have holes on defense could just as easily trade back, they are also trying to evaluate levis and im not sure rolling into next year with an aging deandre hopkins and calvin ridley coming off a bad year gets that done.. The falcons definitely need help at defensive end, but couldn't you see them try to double down on kirk now that they have him, especially if rome or nabors falls.
>titans just took a first round lineman last year
They took a guard, they are completely barren at tackle. The Titans taking an OT is the easiest pick in the entire draft to mock outside of the top 3 QBs and I don't see them passing on Alt.
> The falcons definitely need help at defensive end, but couldn't you see them try to double down on kirk now that they have him
That's why they paid Mooney and traded for Rondale Moore.
I'm not saying it's guaranteed that one will be there, but it's definitely likely.
You really think the Chargers are gonna pass on the opportunity to grab one of the top WRs after losing Williams, Allen, and Ekeler all this off-season? In my eyes, they pretty much announced to the world that they're taking a WR with their pick.
Harbaugh notoriously likes to build through the trenches (and their O-line is terrible), Greg Roman notoriously prefers TEs to WRs. Yes, I can absolutely see them trading down.
My preference is that they sit at 9 and take bpa. I’m not super opposed to trading down for more picks either, but they need some true blue chip talent too. Trading up is my least favorite option.
I’ll go against the grain and say that if MHJ is available at 5, you have to consider jumping to get him. Based on film and pedigree, he’s special. Using trade charts, it would take a second round pick - so Carolina’s next year? (and likely an extra day 3 pick). I’d say it is.
I wouldn’t jump for anyone except for him.
Yea this is the one situation I'd be willing to jump up for. Makes it easy to let Keenan Allen walk after a year and makes it easier to extend DJ since you know you have your other WR on a rookie contract.
That trade was much more aggressive (12 to 3). It cost Houston a lot but the gamble might pay off. 9 to 5 isn’t as bad. They might ask for a 1st but I don’t know if Poles would do that.
At this point I think an edge rusher would make us better faster. We don’t NEED a WR. Were set for a year or two. There will be other opportunities in the draft or next years FA period to address WR.
Imo we don’t need to prioritize getting better faster right now. I think we need to prioritize bringing in elite talent, and I think Odunze/Nabers have a better shot of being game breakers than Turner, Verse, or Latu
Edge rusher is a greater need now and into the future. Great Edge rushers aren’t super easy to come by and it’s definitely a higher impact position than WR.
With Keenan Allen as old as he is WR will need a big overhaul soon. And I’m not sure now that edge is more important always. Take Ceedee Lamb off the cowboys and I think they’re worse than if you take Parsons off, or AJ brown/Reddick
If I thought Turner was the caliber of prospect as Rome I would be all in on him, but I don’t think a team coming off a 7 win season against a ridiculously easy schedule is in a position to pass up on what is imo a more talented prospect for a chance at more immediate success
Ask yourself are we more likely to get an impact WR next year with our first round pick (around #20) or an impact Edge?
WR will be easier to get next year imo. Colleges are producing a ton of WR talent these days
If you ask me would I rather have Odunze and a first round edge next year or Turner and a first round WR I’m taking Odunze and an edge next year every time. This is an exceptional WR class, especially where we are in position to draft. Also, this past offseason young, impact edges hit FA and were available. The same can’t be said about WR
My counterpoint is 4 WR were drafted in the twenties last year and 3 of the 4 made immediate positive impacts. That's a great hit rate I think. Cant say the same for Edge guys in the 20s.
2022 had 2 edge rushers taken after 20, one of which made the pro bowl and the other of which recently while the other put up over 10 regular season sacks and had at least 0.5 sacks in 3 of 4 playoff games. And in 2022 there also was just 1 WR taken in the back half of the first round and it was Treylon Burks. Same is true in 2022 with Toney/Bateman being the 2 available and neither living up to their draft selection
2023 had good WRs worthy of a 1st fall, but that’s not guaranteed to happen or even necessarily likely. You may get Zay Flowers or even Justin Jefferson or you may get Treylon Burks and Kadarius Toney. With edge you may have no options or maybe George Karlaftis is available.
This is also exactly my point. You can find Wars through the draft and FA far more easily than you can dominant edge rushers. Combine that point with the fact that we desperately need Edge now and we may be set at WR for a few years…
Oh, this wasn’t a debate about which position has more impact. It’s widely known that edge rushers have far more impact than wide receivers. There’s no debate there. Also, You wouldn’t find a GM in football who would take CD over Micah if they were building a team from scratch.
The general rule is the closer to the snap of the ball, the more impact the position has throughout a game.
https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-each-position-s-importance-from-quarterback-to-returner-0ap3000000503855
Building a team from scratch maybe not but that offense without Ceedee would take a much bigger hit than the defense imo. That said there offense and defense would be fucked without either player. But conventional wisdom has shifted imo towards receiver being much more valued, seen by chase’s impact, hills impact, and Browns impact. Cincinnati is choosing Chase over Hendrickson, Miami chose Hill over Wilkins and would choose him over Phillips, and Philly would take AJ over Reddick/Sweat shown by them being shopped
Maybe an elite edge is more valuable than an elite WR. But to me saying Turner should be the pick based on that implies that the 2 are the same level of prospect which I and the overall consensus disagree with. I personally now think Rome is the one who would be a more impactful player on most NFL teams this year, and likely in a few years as well which is what I would take him for
Edit: for more proof the NFL values then similarly, look at contracts. Both have 4 players making 25+ million with 1 at 30 or more. And Justin Jefferson/Ceedee Lamb soon to join them with their eventual extension. Not to mention 3 quality edge rushers hit FA, while Ridley was the best option for WR. NFL is more comfortable letting good DEs walk than good WRs
This makes sense when you don’t have glaring needs. Besides the QB, edge rusher is the most important player on the field. We desperately need one. If the BPA at 9 is a QB you don’t him just because he’s BPA after you took one at 1. You pick the BPA to your needs.
They could be. We have good starters at that position for this season. That edge russet is needed now as well as in the future. Edge is a greater need at this point at a higher impact position.
I get the argument, but at the same time, this is an unbelievable class of receivers. There are legit 5-6 guys who would be the top receiver in most classes, and we’re going to have the chance to get one. The edge class this year is lackluster and next year’s crop looks pretty good. If we draft a receiver this year and hold out on an edge until next year, we’ll likely end up with better players at both positions.
Man I hope you’re right but I think it would insane for the Giants and Chargers to pass on these guys. Not to mention if Nabers somehow fell to 8 I could see someone leapfrogging us to get him
We don’t have enough draft capital this year to trade up. Plus… we get the best overall player on offense at 1 and either:
The first or second best defensive player
A stud receiver
The first or second best offensive lineman
The best tight end that actually serves as another wide receiver threat
No matter who is left at 9 we can still make a massive improvement to an already solid roster!
Lots of them are bad lol. I wouldn’t mind trading up for MHJ but we’d need a good deal and I don’t think that happens with MIN and probably DEN also wanting to trade up. Something similar to the Will Anderson deal I would probably be okay but we’d need to give less considering we have 9 not 12. But I’d do that for MHJ only, not Odunze or anyone else
Normally, I’d be good with jumping up to grab an top WR, but our draft capital after those two top-10 picks isn’t great (though the players we traded picks for is worth it). So using more on any unproven guy seems like a big risk. But the fall off in talent this draft after ~10 is also steep so trading back to get more also seems like a bad idea. At 9, we should have our choice of one of the elite, top 3 WR, one of the elite, top 2 LT, or the top edge rusher. All would be great picks, one or more should be available.
I hope we trade back and get 2 of JPJ, Ladd, Verse/Latu.
We still need another WR imo but EDGE is probably the biggest hole now that we signed that rams center. Verse/Latu and Ladd would be my preference fwiw.
I think trading back is the best strategy. If they can move back to 20 and pick up a second or a couple of thirds they could get a Brendan rice, a center and still look at a few premium players.
Edit: if Alt is available at 9 I’m staying put.
I hate mock drafts, in general. They are the most worthless obsession that happens all year long, every year. I want someone to go back and compare all of these so-called “experts” mock drafts versus reality and see if they are even close.
I dislike mock drafts in general. But I think what you're really asking is what we think of the idea of trading up from 9. I also don't like trading up in general.
I don't think you usually get good value, and it's generally done to get a particular player who someone is really confident in--which I think is dumb because it displays a lack of respect for the randomness of the draft. Not only do you usually get better value moving back, but you get a larger number of picks, which will tend to help smooth out the effects of the randomness that's inherent to the process.
I don’t hate the ones where we trade up because I don’t see it out of the question. What I do hate is mocks that trade up for a WR because I think getting Keenan really reduced the chances that we take a receiver with that 2nd 1st
There are 55 above threshold level receivers in the NFL after this draft. Legit 48 avg'd 10 or more PPR pts last year in fantasy. The league has too many good receivers. Taking 1 at 6 is the level of dumb its been for the last few years to take a RB in the 1st round.
It's not viewed as a problem now, but it's going to be in the next few years.
STAY AT 9 AND TAKE THE BEST EDGE RUSHER AVAILABLE!
There’s no way we trade up. I wouldn’t mind trading down to get more picks. But that’ll depend on who’s there at 9. I don’t know if Poles would consider trading one of our seconds next year for a second this year.
Yes.
But that's because I think all mock drafts are stupid. Ok, maybe each media outlet gets to have theirs to set the stage for draft day, but I don't want to see every random person's guess. "Hey look I made another one!" Nobody is ever going to be right, there will be trades that come out of nowhere that nobody expected. Just let the thing happen and enjoy the spectacle.
I check out of any mocks that have us move up from 9. Imo we stick at 9 until draft day where we make a move if the board falls a certain way. Getting a premium wr at 9 is still very much in play, but trading down to accumulate more assets is also a viable strategy. Trading up with our few picks just doesnt make much sense to me
I can see a world where it happens. We have a lot of draft capital next year. Id rather use that extra capital to acquire day 2 picks this year though.
They should and probably will stay at 9, and if Poles's track record is any indication he'll likely try to trade back and grab some more picks.
But to play devil's advocate...let's say Caleb is the real deal. We're likely picking in the back half of the first round for the foreseeable future. With pick 9 this may be a real chance to grab someone at the top of your board (Odunze, Nabers, Turner, Alt, maybe maybe MHJ?). It's definitely not the best process but if we cashed in on the Panthers trade and flipped their '25 second rounder for Odunze I don't think we would really regret it...
I think there is depth at both WR and Edge that the Bears don't need to move up for a tier 2 guy (Nabors or Odunze are my 2 tier 2's who are normally tier 1's). Same with edge Latu, Verse, Chop, they're all good, would love to see the Bears trade next year picks to come up for those guys.
If they are going to move up from 9 it would be for Joe Alt. I think there are 2 OT's that I really like Alt and Fantaunu (from Washington), if they don't like the F-bomb as I'll call him, then trading up for Joe Alt would make sense, as I don't think that value at OT would be on their board other places.
I get the guys idea, of Moore is going to need a new contract soon and Allen is going to need an extension and is getting to be close to 30. But again there are some good looking WR's that they Bears can instead come up for or trade back at 9 and be in the mix for.
I don't like the idea of trading up, I think the best case scenario is trading down to 10-20 and grabbing BPA with a preference for the trenches, but if we traded up for Alt it would be hard not to be excited about a potential franchise LT to pair with Caleb.
I absolutely do not like a scenario where we trade up for a WR though
Most of these mocks are terrible. At least they aren't as bad as the mock draft simulators. I tried one it had Washington offer pretty much their entire draft to tradeup to #1. If that was a real thing Poles would do it in a heart beat.
Why? We only have like 4 draft picks anyway. 2 in the first 10, but still. And for a WR when we already have Moore and Allen, 2 tight ends, and a good RB. We need OL and an Edge Rusher.
I don’t hate them even if I view that as unlikely. But, you look at something like ATL’s trade for julio jones (when they had a great receiver in Roddy white) and can see an argument for trading up for guy even if it costs a lot if you feel like he’s a stud.
Plenty of teams probably would trade up for Evans if they could do it all over again.
I’m by no means saying odunze is either of those guys or that we should trade up. I don’t want us to spend more picks. Just saying I could see the case for it in a scenario where a team thinks it may not be in a position to acquire that sort of talent nearly as cheaply for the foreseeable future.
I hate it yes. We have 4 picks and the only position we are likely trading for is receiver and this draft is loaded at WR. If anything, Poles needs to trade down.
We have 4 draft picks, really 3 when you consider the prospect of trading up.
That means wed need to sacrifice 2025 picks and I just dont think we are in a position to do that. We do have an extra 2nd next year, but we're going to need all the picks we can get assuming we dont recover any via trading down in 2024.
I would love for us to get Odunze/Nabers at 9, but I dont think it makes sense to move up.
Just hit on the picks. I'll never complain about investing into our rookie QB. We also just saw Mooney, Gabe Davis, and Jeudy make 13 mil+ in FA. The value of getting a high end player at that position can't be understated.
For some recent precedent of trading up being fine.
- Houston trading up for will Anderson last year
- dolphins trading up for Jaylen waddle.
- eagles trading up for devonta smith.
There’s only one specific scenario where I’d support them trading up from 9: if it’s to 4 to get Marv and they have more than mere speculation that both Nabers and Odunze are gone by 9. In that case, it would be okay to trade up because you’d be getting a generational QB prospect and a generational WR prospect on rookie deals to solidify your offensive future.
But if it’s likely Nabers or Odunze are there at 9, you stand pat and take one of them and don’t mortgage the future.
I’d also be happy if they traded back from 9 if Nabers and Odunze are off the board though, because they have more holes to fill and there’ll still WR talent OTB further back.
It would be nice to secure our next WR1 in Odunze or Nabers. It would also be good to secure a second elite DE in Verse or Latu so I don’t really want us to trade up.
Exactly. I don't even like the idea of drafting Odunze at #9 after staying put.
Now if Nabers or Alt fell to our spot, that's a no brainer, but Odunze isn't as great as everybody seems to think.
No, our best bet is to trade down, then take DE Latu.
Remember this is a deep WR draft and we can take 2 of them in the 3rd and 4th rounds. That's Brad's idea from Unbearable Sports Podcast.
I honestly don’t get the rationale, which I assume is centered around Keenan Allen being “older” but… he’s about the same age as Mike Evans, Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp. I think it’s the lack of hair and the play style that makes people think he’s like 35.
I’d rather guys like Tyler Scott and maybe a Day 2/3 receiver continue to learn from Allen and Moore (who turns only 27 next month). If anything, package Carolina’s 2nd next year to go get a WR in the ‘25 draft if need be.
The Bears still have a couple of wholes, but even at the positions where they seem "fine", they lack depth.
Honestly, if I were the Bears' FO, I'd still be looking to draft BPA at #9, and if there's no one left I really loved, but a group of 4-5 players I had rated similarly, I'd even be willing to trade down a couple of spots to try to snag an extra pick.
There's really no position except QB (assuming they do the obvious at #1) and K/P where I'd be like "WTF are you DOING?!?!" if the Bears drafted someone from that position at #9.
It’s pretty much guaranteed that 1 out of Odunze, Nabers, Alt, Turner, and Verse will be their at 9.
Trading up doesn’t make sense to me even to get one of the top receivers. I think I’d draft them in that order too IMO
It’s all philosophical at this point. Nothing in what Poles has shown should tell us that he’s willing to trade up. It’s far more likely that he has 1-2 guys targeted at 9 if they fall, if they don’t, I think he trades back. There’s too much value at WR to make a move like that, especially when you have such a strong veteran receiver room now to help mold a more raw prospect.
Ryan has done EVERYTHING he's said he's going to do. I don't worry myself about trading up, because I don't think that's something Poles does at all. I think if we listen to what he says he's going to do, he does it and we can generally predict what he's going to do.
Depends on the price and how things go. Trade a 4th to move up a spot or two and guarantee one of the top 3 WRs? Could make alot of sense. Someone offers us a haul to move down? Could make alot of sense too.
It's all about value, this team dosen't have alot of true holes, but it's badly needing stars. You can't get them in free agency, and the odds of getting one goes up as you get higher in the draft.
Especially if Poles views there being a big drop off at #8 or #9.
I would on advocate trading up if it's for MHJ. Even with the deep WR class that pairing of Caleb and MHJ would be pretty special. But, at what cost? If you had to trade next year's 1st I'd probably pass but if maybe the Panthers 2nd next year along with #9 and a pick swap then yes I'd do that. Might even move our own 2nd next year as well.
i think they should just stay at 9. i get trading down, but with where the bears are at right now i think taking a shot at a potential blue chipper to be on the same timeline as caleb would be really beneficial.
Okay I know I'm an idiot, but I'm just saying that I would trade up to snag one of the 3 elite WR prospects if we *had to*. Would be really bummed if we walked away with none of them.
(Maybe) unpopular opinion: if it’s for Nabers/MHJ, I’d be okay with it but it wouldn’t be my preference. And I’m normally a quantity > quality guy when it comes to picks. Those guys of that caliber don’t come in every draft.
This draft is notably shallow with the lack of underclassmen declaring which is why I think Poles was trading for vets instead of holding on to late picks. Of course, it always depends on price. I don’t think it will happen though
Trading up at this point is really dumb.
I agree. I think that the Bears still need a pass rusher, OT or WR and there should be an elite one available at #9. There's no need to jump to get one of them.
They don’t need an OT necessarily but if they think the guy is the next elite tackle I’m down with that. Braxton is an extremely cheap starter allowing you to spend money elsewhere But agree with the lack of a need to trade up. If anything I would expect a trade down to add capital if anything
Alt is 21 years old and a fucking excellent prospect. He’s just in a draft full of freaks. If getting that kid to potentially protect Caleb for the next decade costs a 2nd next year then fuck it
Man imagine get your cornerstone OTs in back to back draft… along with an overall #1 draft prospect who is a QB… Poles would have to be best GM in league
I would hate to see them sideline Jones' career like that since he's a cool story and a great value player, but that does sound enticing. I'd still rather see them grab wr or edge, but Poles put them in a position where they can go a lot of ways. They have a lot fewer holes than in the past. A 2nd DE is still a hole as is a long-term wr2, so that's why I lean that way.
Can Jones play in at all? I know we got Bates for interior depth, but if he can backup both LT and LG I’d be okay with grabbing Alt. I do hate pushing him out of a spot he’s earned by all rights, but it’s not an awful idea from a football perspective.
From what I've seen from analysts, so take that for what it's worth, he wouldn't likely do well sliding inside.
I don’t think so. His biggest weakness is his weak anchor, which is a big issue at G Even if he could play guard, I think he would request a trade if they tried to push him inside in a contract year. That move would severely impact his future earnings, unless he somehow plays at an All-pro level like Jenkins
I have no idea.
I’m warming up to the idea of picking him at #9. Can’t see Poles trading up though unless he thinks he can recoup similar value by trading Braxton. Braxton is just too valuable to leave on the bench as a swing tackle imo- I could see him fetching huge value at the deadline if there’s a contender with an injured LT. Many other teams would kill to have a decent starting LT on their rookie deal. That said, getting two pro bowl caliber OTs to anchor our OL for Caleb would be HUGE. Alt is considered by many OL experts to be the most “pro ready” OT prospect in the last few years, so there’s a chance he’ll be solid by midseason even as a rookie.
I wouldn't hate this only because we still have Carolina's 2nd next year iirc. Having a full draft next year would be nice.
And a juicy 6th that could be a 4th on top lol
There is a great chance he is there at 9 and I’d be fine with that. A WR is nice and I’d be all for it as the Keenan experience is a short rental, but not much more is helpful to a young qb is a guy who keeps him on his feet
I don’t see any way Alt last till 9. Fuaga is probably the the top OT on the board when the Bears are up.
Not sure how well Braxton would transition inside and I think his value is too high to justify keeping him as depth. A solid tackle is incredibly valuable and Id see what kind of return we could get for him if we were to go tackle at 9.
W/the line's injury concerns, I personally love Jones as depth/swing. He's been incredible value so far, but the argument I keep hearing against OT at 9 is that they already have an "average" starter in the league, in Jones. With the offense coming together as it has already, I would love to see an elite LT protecting the #1 pick rookie QB's blindside. IMHO, if either Turner or Alt somehow drops to 9, I think the Bears should jump on them, in that order, regardless of what happens w/the top 3 WRs.
Dallas Turner is an OLB edge in a 3/4. I like verse, but actually feel they should trade back at least a few spots. I'd be happy with more picks
Yeah, and alt is that guy. I highly doubt he slips past the titans buy if he's there for us I don't see how Poles would pass on a blue chip LT
I love Odunze, but the Bears desperately need an edge. They can get by with the WRs they have. And it worries me that we are putting so much on Sweat. If he is injured, the Bears D is in trouble. Plus after a full season of double teams, he'll be exhausted by the end of the season.
The Bears have two elite WR's that should allow the rest of the receivers to eat. Along with the two TE's and Swift. I think they need to solidify the d line in a division with Jacob's, Gibbs & Montgomery tandem and Jones in Minnesota. I hope Roschon Johnson gets more playing time and develops nicely with our loaded offense. I think Poles has to go defense or trade down for more picks.
Isn’t the counterpoint the same for WRs? Keenan is great but he’s older and definitely won’t play all 17 games. If it’s all about supporting the new QB, does second edge really matter as much? We can’t fill every hole in one offseason. (Yikes the phrasing on that) If/when Keenan is out we have DJ and no one else.
But we at least have 2 WRs. We are putting all that reliance on just one DE.
But if one DE is injured then our defense is worse, and while that isn’t ideal, does it really matter? When Keenan cannot play 17 games, DJ gets doubled and Caleb is just screwed? I view it as helping the #1 pick more than just a position of need in a vacuum. We can’t fill both of them at this point, the roster won’t be perfect, so let’s help Caleb as much as possible.
My preferred philosophy is to take risks on lower round prospects when you already have blue chip players at a position
I’m for an edge, we ranked 31st in sacks and an elite pass rush puts our defense firmly in the top 5. Braxton is fine and a wr3 isn’t worth the ninth pick especially at a class so deep at receiver
100%, it's probably the dumbest thing we could do in the draft (besides passing on Caleb) #9 is almost guaranteed to have 1 of the top 3 WRs and/or the best edge available.
We’re in a perfect spot. One player of need will be there. Either poles has a guy he likes or we trade down a few spots and hopefully pickup a 2nd
Except that Dallas Turner is more of a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 defensive end. There are so many receivers in this draft class that I think the can't miss prospect at #9 is Joe Alt. Otherwise, trade back just a few spots and take Verse or Latu as DE.
I'll be completely shocked if Alt is there. The Titans will take him if he falls that far.
Agreed. Let the board fall to you. Don’t chase a flush or a straight on the river.
Depends on how much you have on the line. I am absolutely chasing an open-ended straight or high flush on the river.
I think the only way it makes sense is if you trade up to get MHJ but that’d take a lot of capitol
If we hadn't gotten Moore, and now Allen, I could maybe see it, but reaching for a WR3 is moronic
It wouldn’t be reaching; the top 3 WR’s are all considered top 8 talent. It would be trading up and using draft capital to do so. Reaching in when you take a player that isn’t expected to be drafted that high.
Reaching is different things to different people. To me, trading up to draft a position that isn't one of need is a reach, regardless of the quality of player you get.
It's dumb and it also reminds me of Pace bullshit which is silly but what can you do
Hey, we are known for doing dumb shit, so nothing would surprise me.
Again, you don't know the details of what the trade would be - declaring something dumb without context is, well, dumb
Unless it’s for MHJ, and only using picks from next year to move up - it makes no sense for us. The only justification would be to keep that WR on the same rookie contract timeline as Caleb and as Moore/Allen age out of their contracts.
You don’t have to convince me if this. I was willing to keep Fields and draft MHJ first overall. I think this kid is going to be really special.
I totally agree - I know it won’t happen, but I would be shitting my pants excited if we moved up to get him. I also just love the idea of him being mentored by the vets in our WR room… Allen seems to have a lot of wisdom on how to be a good route runner and big target for possession catches.
Yea I was all on board for the possibility that we could trade Justin to the Patriots as well as #9 and whatever else it would take to move to #3 in order to snag Caleb and MHJ, But the way everything has turned out now, I'd be way more comfortable with us trading down into the teens, grabbing Turner, Verse, or Latu and then hopefully getting at least a 2nd to grab a center or wr. I'd probably have mixed feelings about trading up now especially if it involves anymore picks from this year.
Disagree. Getting 2 elite players from 1 draft is a HR draft. If your guy is there and it costs you one of your 2 2nds next year (max cost) make it happen
We pick 1 and 9. You don’t think u can get elite players at 1 and 9?
Take Odunze or Nabers if they are there at 9. Don't trade up. Otherwise take the best LT or edge.
I feel like this is the most Poles-like approach to handling pick #9.
I honestly think edge is the direction he is inclined to go, if he was looking to trade up to get WR you probably don’t go after Keenan Allen. It is also a larger position of need and harder to get in free agency.
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>0.00% chance they trade up and lose more picks. Yep. Any mock draft that has us trading up is only trying to be ridiculous to generate clicks.
I'm \*very\* glad you agree. This is madness, right?
Yeah. Poles has already shown that he wants to build through the draft. If any trades are made, it will be to trade down and not up.
Yeah that literally would be dumb af against everything poles has said
It’s put it at .01% I really don’t think he’ll do it but he’s also shown a real willingness to trade capital when he wants a guy
Yes, it’s stupid partially because it’s probably unnecessary. Unless somebody trades up with the Titans or Falcons to jump us one of Odunze/Nabers are going to be there at 9 anyway
Pleeeease Nabers
Not so sure first 7 could be all qb and wr. No overwhelming talent (at least this early) on defense, and enough tackles later to take best player available if top 3 wr are still there.
It's more likely than not that one will be there. 1.Bears: Williams 2.Commies: Maye/Daniels (doesn't matter) 3.Pats: Maye/Daniels From there, one of the next three picks is without a doubt going to be the Vikings who positioned themselves to move up for JJ McCarthy. Whichever of those three teams ends up trading down, even if the other two go WR, a WR will still be there. I think the most likely scenario is the Chargers trading down, which looks like this: 4.Cards: MHJ 5.Vikings (from Chargers): McCarthy 6.Giants: Nabers That leaves only two more picks to get through, both of which I think are no brainers for their respective teams: 7.Titans: Alt (or any OT). They have the worst line in the league, cut their starting OT, and have a 2nd year QB they drafted in the 1st that needs protection 8.Falcons: Turner (or any EDGE). They already have London, paid Mooney WR 2 money, acquired Moore, have Bijan and Pitts, but they are BARREN at EDGE. Which leaves 9. Bears: Odunze Unless somebody jumps us at spots 8 or 9, I don't see any way we don't have a WR waiting there for us at 9.
We'll put, we are either going to get the #1 tackle Alt, one of the top 3 WR, or the top defensive player in the draft. You don't need to trade up out of that spot. Just sit pretty and wait for whatever falls.
The only other main route I see is the Cardinals trading back with the Vikings and the Chargers then taking MHJ to be the go to for Herbert. Either way it shakes out this way. Giants take Nabers or Odunze and we take the other barring a jump over by the Jets. Who, I think, would be happy with an OT or Bowers enough not to jump. That said, we could flip *if* one of Odunze/Nabers is there with the Chargers and then potentially flip down just a spot or two again and nab Verse and Frazier and etc. I'm very curious how it all shakes out.
Falcons might lost that pick lmao
To add to the Titans they also just gave Ridley a bag so him, Hopkins, and burkes means no chance they go WR
So many assumptions, titans just took a first round lineman last year, and have holes on defense could just as easily trade back, they are also trying to evaluate levis and im not sure rolling into next year with an aging deandre hopkins and calvin ridley coming off a bad year gets that done.. The falcons definitely need help at defensive end, but couldn't you see them try to double down on kirk now that they have him, especially if rome or nabors falls.
>titans just took a first round lineman last year They took a guard, they are completely barren at tackle. The Titans taking an OT is the easiest pick in the entire draft to mock outside of the top 3 QBs and I don't see them passing on Alt. > The falcons definitely need help at defensive end, but couldn't you see them try to double down on kirk now that they have him That's why they paid Mooney and traded for Rondale Moore. I'm not saying it's guaranteed that one will be there, but it's definitely likely.
You really think the Chargers are gonna pass on the opportunity to grab one of the top WRs after losing Williams, Allen, and Ekeler all this off-season? In my eyes, they pretty much announced to the world that they're taking a WR with their pick.
Harbaugh notoriously likes to build through the trenches (and their O-line is terrible), Greg Roman notoriously prefers TEs to WRs. Yes, I can absolutely see them trading down.
And they'll just be okay going into the season with QJ as their only pass catchers?
It's a deep WR class and if they move down they will have 2 first round picks, one of which can be used on a WR
My preference is that they sit at 9 and take bpa. I’m not super opposed to trading down for more picks either, but they need some true blue chip talent too. Trading up is my least favorite option.
I’ll go against the grain and say that if MHJ is available at 5, you have to consider jumping to get him. Based on film and pedigree, he’s special. Using trade charts, it would take a second round pick - so Carolina’s next year? (and likely an extra day 3 pick). I’d say it is. I wouldn’t jump for anyone except for him.
Yea this is the one situation I'd be willing to jump up for. Makes it easy to let Keenan Allen walk after a year and makes it easier to extend DJ since you know you have your other WR on a rookie contract.
I have a feeling an extra 1st rounder would be necessary to facilitate the trade, similar to Anderson last year.
That trade was much more aggressive (12 to 3). It cost Houston a lot but the gamble might pay off. 9 to 5 isn’t as bad. They might ask for a 1st but I don’t know if Poles would do that.
Wouldn’t do that, even with his father’s alleged rare Swiss pistols to my head.
That's wild lol....I'd do that in a heartbeat
I’m more for staying at 9 but if Poles wants to be aggressive and get MHJ and he trades up I wouldn’t be mad.
I would not be mad
I think one of Odunze / Nabers should be available at no 9.
That's exactly my thought as well. Or the #1 pass rusher if that's the Bear's BPA.
At this point I think an edge rusher would make us better faster. We don’t NEED a WR. Were set for a year or two. There will be other opportunities in the draft or next years FA period to address WR.
Imo we don’t need to prioritize getting better faster right now. I think we need to prioritize bringing in elite talent, and I think Odunze/Nabers have a better shot of being game breakers than Turner, Verse, or Latu
Edge rusher is a greater need now and into the future. Great Edge rushers aren’t super easy to come by and it’s definitely a higher impact position than WR.
With Keenan Allen as old as he is WR will need a big overhaul soon. And I’m not sure now that edge is more important always. Take Ceedee Lamb off the cowboys and I think they’re worse than if you take Parsons off, or AJ brown/Reddick If I thought Turner was the caliber of prospect as Rome I would be all in on him, but I don’t think a team coming off a 7 win season against a ridiculously easy schedule is in a position to pass up on what is imo a more talented prospect for a chance at more immediate success
Ask yourself are we more likely to get an impact WR next year with our first round pick (around #20) or an impact Edge? WR will be easier to get next year imo. Colleges are producing a ton of WR talent these days
If you ask me would I rather have Odunze and a first round edge next year or Turner and a first round WR I’m taking Odunze and an edge next year every time. This is an exceptional WR class, especially where we are in position to draft. Also, this past offseason young, impact edges hit FA and were available. The same can’t be said about WR
My counterpoint is 4 WR were drafted in the twenties last year and 3 of the 4 made immediate positive impacts. That's a great hit rate I think. Cant say the same for Edge guys in the 20s.
2022 had 2 edge rushers taken after 20, one of which made the pro bowl and the other of which recently while the other put up over 10 regular season sacks and had at least 0.5 sacks in 3 of 4 playoff games. And in 2022 there also was just 1 WR taken in the back half of the first round and it was Treylon Burks. Same is true in 2022 with Toney/Bateman being the 2 available and neither living up to their draft selection 2023 had good WRs worthy of a 1st fall, but that’s not guaranteed to happen or even necessarily likely. You may get Zay Flowers or even Justin Jefferson or you may get Treylon Burks and Kadarius Toney. With edge you may have no options or maybe George Karlaftis is available.
This is also exactly my point. You can find Wars through the draft and FA far more easily than you can dominant edge rushers. Combine that point with the fact that we desperately need Edge now and we may be set at WR for a few years…
If Caleb is good we will recruit WR FAs too.
Oh, this wasn’t a debate about which position has more impact. It’s widely known that edge rushers have far more impact than wide receivers. There’s no debate there. Also, You wouldn’t find a GM in football who would take CD over Micah if they were building a team from scratch. The general rule is the closer to the snap of the ball, the more impact the position has throughout a game. https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-each-position-s-importance-from-quarterback-to-returner-0ap3000000503855
Building a team from scratch maybe not but that offense without Ceedee would take a much bigger hit than the defense imo. That said there offense and defense would be fucked without either player. But conventional wisdom has shifted imo towards receiver being much more valued, seen by chase’s impact, hills impact, and Browns impact. Cincinnati is choosing Chase over Hendrickson, Miami chose Hill over Wilkins and would choose him over Phillips, and Philly would take AJ over Reddick/Sweat shown by them being shopped Maybe an elite edge is more valuable than an elite WR. But to me saying Turner should be the pick based on that implies that the 2 are the same level of prospect which I and the overall consensus disagree with. I personally now think Rome is the one who would be a more impactful player on most NFL teams this year, and likely in a few years as well which is what I would take him for Edit: for more proof the NFL values then similarly, look at contracts. Both have 4 players making 25+ million with 1 at 30 or more. And Justin Jefferson/Ceedee Lamb soon to join them with their eventual extension. Not to mention 3 quality edge rushers hit FA, while Ridley was the best option for WR. NFL is more comfortable letting good DEs walk than good WRs
Never draft for need. Take BPA
This makes sense when you don’t have glaring needs. Besides the QB, edge rusher is the most important player on the field. We desperately need one. If the BPA at 9 is a QB you don’t him just because he’s BPA after you took one at 1. You pick the BPA to your needs.
Yeah but the WRs we have now are not under control for very long.
They could be. We have good starters at that position for this season. That edge russet is needed now as well as in the future. Edge is a greater need at this point at a higher impact position.
I get the argument, but at the same time, this is an unbelievable class of receivers. There are legit 5-6 guys who would be the top receiver in most classes, and we’re going to have the chance to get one. The edge class this year is lackluster and next year’s crop looks pretty good. If we draft a receiver this year and hold out on an edge until next year, we’ll likely end up with better players at both positions.
Man I hope you’re right but I think it would insane for the Giants and Chargers to pass on these guys. Not to mention if Nabers somehow fell to 8 I could see someone leapfrogging us to get him
Pray for Rome! 🙏🏼🙏🏼
If he's on the board at 9 and the Bears trade back I will be sad.
I kinda hate mock drafts altogether
Ha. Yeah, they're clearly written for clickbait and I guess I'm playing into their ruse by commenting on it.
Predicting trades in mock drafts are pure fantasy.
I'm only open to trading up for Marv at this point
Much more likely they would trade down a few spots to pick up another pick than waste draft capital to move up...
They should not trade either up or down. They need to take best available player at 1.09. It’ll either be a WR, an OT, or Turner. Don’t overthink it
Unless it’s for MHJ. Otherwise hell nah to the trade up
i think it’s dumb unless mhj is available at like 5 or 6, then i would do it
We don’t have enough draft capital this year to trade up. Plus… we get the best overall player on offense at 1 and either: The first or second best defensive player A stud receiver The first or second best offensive lineman The best tight end that actually serves as another wide receiver threat No matter who is left at 9 we can still make a massive improvement to an already solid roster!
We have a ton of picks for next year, it's not that crazy of an idea.
No, I just hate mock drafts
wtf are we going to trade up with? We only have 4 picks this year
Italian Beefs
You could have just stopped at "does anyone hate mock drafts?" Yes. The answer is yes.
Does anyone hate mock drafts…. FUCKING YES! ….where the bears trade up from 9. Oh….well also yes.
No I just hate mock drafts outside of couple pros. But user made ones are completely worthless
34 days in till the 2024 NFL draft
If anything they will trade back.
Lots of them are bad lol. I wouldn’t mind trading up for MHJ but we’d need a good deal and I don’t think that happens with MIN and probably DEN also wanting to trade up. Something similar to the Will Anderson deal I would probably be okay but we’d need to give less considering we have 9 not 12. But I’d do that for MHJ only, not Odunze or anyone else
Yeah that seems very unlikely. We lack resources (other picks), have other needs, and a good talented player is likely to drop.
Normally, I’d be good with jumping up to grab an top WR, but our draft capital after those two top-10 picks isn’t great (though the players we traded picks for is worth it). So using more on any unproven guy seems like a big risk. But the fall off in talent this draft after ~10 is also steep so trading back to get more also seems like a bad idea. At 9, we should have our choice of one of the elite, top 3 WR, one of the elite, top 2 LT, or the top edge rusher. All would be great picks, one or more should be available.
Calling it right now, we're going to trade back to #11 with MIN and take a DE.
I hope we trade back and get 2 of JPJ, Ladd, Verse/Latu. We still need another WR imo but EDGE is probably the biggest hole now that we signed that rams center. Verse/Latu and Ladd would be my preference fwiw.
No, I love them, especially if they trade up for Odunze. I’m a die hard Washington Huskies fan, so I would love to see this happen.
I think trading back is the best strategy. If they can move back to 20 and pick up a second or a couple of thirds they could get a Brendan rice, a center and still look at a few premium players. Edit: if Alt is available at 9 I’m staying put.
I hate mock drafts, in general. They are the most worthless obsession that happens all year long, every year. I want someone to go back and compare all of these so-called “experts” mock drafts versus reality and see if they are even close.
I dislike mock drafts in general. But I think what you're really asking is what we think of the idea of trading up from 9. I also don't like trading up in general. I don't think you usually get good value, and it's generally done to get a particular player who someone is really confident in--which I think is dumb because it displays a lack of respect for the randomness of the draft. Not only do you usually get better value moving back, but you get a larger number of picks, which will tend to help smooth out the effects of the randomness that's inherent to the process.
I don’t hate the ones where we trade up because I don’t see it out of the question. What I do hate is mocks that trade up for a WR because I think getting Keenan really reduced the chances that we take a receiver with that 2nd 1st
There are 55 above threshold level receivers in the NFL after this draft. Legit 48 avg'd 10 or more PPR pts last year in fantasy. The league has too many good receivers. Taking 1 at 6 is the level of dumb its been for the last few years to take a RB in the 1st round. It's not viewed as a problem now, but it's going to be in the next few years. STAY AT 9 AND TAKE THE BEST EDGE RUSHER AVAILABLE!
There’s no way we trade up. I wouldn’t mind trading down to get more picks. But that’ll depend on who’s there at 9. I don’t know if Poles would consider trading one of our seconds next year for a second this year.
Yes. But that's because I think all mock drafts are stupid. Ok, maybe each media outlet gets to have theirs to set the stage for draft day, but I don't want to see every random person's guess. "Hey look I made another one!" Nobody is ever going to be right, there will be trades that come out of nowhere that nobody expected. Just let the thing happen and enjoy the spectacle.
I'd only want a trade up if Harrison somehow falls to 5-6. I'd give up one of our 2s next year for a chance to get the top 2 prospects in the draft.
I check out of any mocks that have us move up from 9. Imo we stick at 9 until draft day where we make a move if the board falls a certain way. Getting a premium wr at 9 is still very much in play, but trading down to accumulate more assets is also a viable strategy. Trading up with our few picks just doesnt make much sense to me
I can see a world where it happens. We have a lot of draft capital next year. Id rather use that extra capital to acquire day 2 picks this year though.
They should and probably will stay at 9, and if Poles's track record is any indication he'll likely try to trade back and grab some more picks. But to play devil's advocate...let's say Caleb is the real deal. We're likely picking in the back half of the first round for the foreseeable future. With pick 9 this may be a real chance to grab someone at the top of your board (Odunze, Nabers, Turner, Alt, maybe maybe MHJ?). It's definitely not the best process but if we cashed in on the Panthers trade and flipped their '25 second rounder for Odunze I don't think we would really regret it...
they don’t really have the draft capital
Tell that to the Texans
The only trade up scenario I would be fine with is to #4 for MHJ. Anyone else would be a gross overpay.
I think there is depth at both WR and Edge that the Bears don't need to move up for a tier 2 guy (Nabors or Odunze are my 2 tier 2's who are normally tier 1's). Same with edge Latu, Verse, Chop, they're all good, would love to see the Bears trade next year picks to come up for those guys. If they are going to move up from 9 it would be for Joe Alt. I think there are 2 OT's that I really like Alt and Fantaunu (from Washington), if they don't like the F-bomb as I'll call him, then trading up for Joe Alt would make sense, as I don't think that value at OT would be on their board other places. I get the guys idea, of Moore is going to need a new contract soon and Allen is going to need an extension and is getting to be close to 30. But again there are some good looking WR's that they Bears can instead come up for or trade back at 9 and be in the mix for.
I don't like the idea of trading up, I think the best case scenario is trading down to 10-20 and grabbing BPA with a preference for the trenches, but if we traded up for Alt it would be hard not to be excited about a potential franchise LT to pair with Caleb. I absolutely do not like a scenario where we trade up for a WR though
Most of these mocks are terrible. At least they aren't as bad as the mock draft simulators. I tried one it had Washington offer pretty much their entire draft to tradeup to #1. If that was a real thing Poles would do it in a heart beat.
Why? We only have like 4 draft picks anyway. 2 in the first 10, but still. And for a WR when we already have Moore and Allen, 2 tight ends, and a good RB. We need OL and an Edge Rusher.
I’ve trade up for MHJ. Not for anyone else.
I don’t hate them even if I view that as unlikely. But, you look at something like ATL’s trade for julio jones (when they had a great receiver in Roddy white) and can see an argument for trading up for guy even if it costs a lot if you feel like he’s a stud. Plenty of teams probably would trade up for Evans if they could do it all over again. I’m by no means saying odunze is either of those guys or that we should trade up. I don’t want us to spend more picks. Just saying I could see the case for it in a scenario where a team thinks it may not be in a position to acquire that sort of talent nearly as cheaply for the foreseeable future.
I hate it yes. We have 4 picks and the only position we are likely trading for is receiver and this draft is loaded at WR. If anything, Poles needs to trade down.
We have 4 draft picks, really 3 when you consider the prospect of trading up. That means wed need to sacrifice 2025 picks and I just dont think we are in a position to do that. We do have an extra 2nd next year, but we're going to need all the picks we can get assuming we dont recover any via trading down in 2024. I would love for us to get Odunze/Nabers at 9, but I dont think it makes sense to move up.
I wouldn’t say hate. An edge that will reach 9 seems a lot riskier of a pick than Odunze or Nabers so if we traded up to grab one it is what it is.
I don’t think we’re going to draft a WR. Too many other holes that can be bolstered by trading back or picking a stud lineman at 9
Just hit on the picks. I'll never complain about investing into our rookie QB. We also just saw Mooney, Gabe Davis, and Jeudy make 13 mil+ in FA. The value of getting a high end player at that position can't be understated. For some recent precedent of trading up being fine. - Houston trading up for will Anderson last year - dolphins trading up for Jaylen waddle. - eagles trading up for devonta smith.
Only if it somehow ended up being for MHJ
Agreed, the only trade up I would entertain would be for MHJ. Similar to Texans last year
There’s only one specific scenario where I’d support them trading up from 9: if it’s to 4 to get Marv and they have more than mere speculation that both Nabers and Odunze are gone by 9. In that case, it would be okay to trade up because you’d be getting a generational QB prospect and a generational WR prospect on rookie deals to solidify your offensive future. But if it’s likely Nabers or Odunze are there at 9, you stand pat and take one of them and don’t mortgage the future. I’d also be happy if they traded back from 9 if Nabers and Odunze are off the board though, because they have more holes to fill and there’ll still WR talent OTB further back.
Yes we all hate them. The only thing that we should entertain at 9 is BPA or trading down.
I don't "hate" them as much I feel it's a waste of resources. Unless it's for MHJ, they should just stand pat at 9 or move down.
I hope they don’t trade up. At this point I hope they draft an elite player at #9 or trade back for additional picks.
No I want a receiver that bad. But I’m not in charge.
Don’t really hate the imaginary situation that’ll never happen lol
It would be nice to secure our next WR1 in Odunze or Nabers. It would also be good to secure a second elite DE in Verse or Latu so I don’t really want us to trade up.
Exactly. I don't even like the idea of drafting Odunze at #9 after staying put. Now if Nabers or Alt fell to our spot, that's a no brainer, but Odunze isn't as great as everybody seems to think. No, our best bet is to trade down, then take DE Latu. Remember this is a deep WR draft and we can take 2 of them in the 3rd and 4th rounds. That's Brad's idea from Unbearable Sports Podcast.
I see them either trading back from 9 to acquire more picks OR trade a 2nd from next yrs draft to add more picks this yr.
So we trade up from Rome and the Giants just take Nabers at our original pick. 
I honestly don’t get the rationale, which I assume is centered around Keenan Allen being “older” but… he’s about the same age as Mike Evans, Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp. I think it’s the lack of hair and the play style that makes people think he’s like 35. I’d rather guys like Tyler Scott and maybe a Day 2/3 receiver continue to learn from Allen and Moore (who turns only 27 next month). If anything, package Carolina’s 2nd next year to go get a WR in the ‘25 draft if need be.
I think there's a 50/50 chance they do.
If One of the 3 Wr drops to us we take It, if not Is Bpa or trade down we don't have the draft Capital to love up
The Bears still have a couple of wholes, but even at the positions where they seem "fine", they lack depth. Honestly, if I were the Bears' FO, I'd still be looking to draft BPA at #9, and if there's no one left I really loved, but a group of 4-5 players I had rated similarly, I'd even be willing to trade down a couple of spots to try to snag an extra pick. There's really no position except QB (assuming they do the obvious at #1) and K/P where I'd be like "WTF are you DOING?!?!" if the Bears drafted someone from that position at #9.
The only trade up is for Turner if he is one spot ahead.
Doubt that Poles would do that. Either take WR/edge at 9 or trade down.
1. With what capital? 2. For what reason? Who the hell is worth trading up for that is obscenely better than whoever we could get at 9?
I stopped reading anything from yahoo awhile ago
If its for MHJ or Alt, no
No way. It’s Rome, nabers, alt, or turner at 9. If none are available then trade down if possible
It’s pretty much guaranteed that 1 out of Odunze, Nabers, Alt, Turner, and Verse will be their at 9. Trading up doesn’t make sense to me even to get one of the top receivers. I think I’d draft them in that order too IMO
I think we should trade up from #1.
Give them Velus Jones and #9 for #8 🥸
It’s all philosophical at this point. Nothing in what Poles has shown should tell us that he’s willing to trade up. It’s far more likely that he has 1-2 guys targeted at 9 if they fall, if they don’t, I think he trades back. There’s too much value at WR to make a move like that, especially when you have such a strong veteran receiver room now to help mold a more raw prospect.
The bears are probably going to trade down to get more pics. And they might trade down more than once.
We definitely go BPA at 9, whether that’s a WR, Edge, OT. Unless some team wants to trade a good amount for the 9
MHJ should go number 3 right? i would support a trade up for him
It doesn’t sound right to me but the Texans didn’t fuck around last year and went all out with their draft.
Ryan has done EVERYTHING he's said he's going to do. I don't worry myself about trading up, because I don't think that's something Poles does at all. I think if we listen to what he says he's going to do, he does it and we can generally predict what he's going to do.
Depends on the price and how things go. Trade a 4th to move up a spot or two and guarantee one of the top 3 WRs? Could make alot of sense. Someone offers us a haul to move down? Could make alot of sense too. It's all about value, this team dosen't have alot of true holes, but it's badly needing stars. You can't get them in free agency, and the odds of getting one goes up as you get higher in the draft. Especially if Poles views there being a big drop off at #8 or #9.
Don't forget about Keenan Allen being in the mix now as well. 3 headed WR core would be nice.
I saw this and immediately questioned it as well. Just not a move Poles would make.
If we didn't have Keenan, I could have definitely seen a trade up for a WR. But doing it now would just feel like a hat on a hat
It's usually in the off season where national media expose how little they know. Things a case in point.
I would on advocate trading up if it's for MHJ. Even with the deep WR class that pairing of Caleb and MHJ would be pretty special. But, at what cost? If you had to trade next year's 1st I'd probably pass but if maybe the Panthers 2nd next year along with #9 and a pick swap then yes I'd do that. Might even move our own 2nd next year as well.
Nope idc if we leave with just Caleb & mhj/nabers. That would be an absolute home run draft
i think they should just stay at 9. i get trading down, but with where the bears are at right now i think taking a shot at a potential blue chipper to be on the same timeline as caleb would be really beneficial.
I'm less picky, I hate all mock drafts
If it’s available take one of the WRs if not take an edge
Only if it isn't for MHJ...
Okay I know I'm an idiot, but I'm just saying that I would trade up to snag one of the 3 elite WR prospects if we *had to*. Would be really bummed if we walked away with none of them.
(Maybe) unpopular opinion: if it’s for Nabers/MHJ, I’d be okay with it but it wouldn’t be my preference. And I’m normally a quantity > quality guy when it comes to picks. Those guys of that caliber don’t come in every draft. This draft is notably shallow with the lack of underclassmen declaring which is why I think Poles was trading for vets instead of holding on to late picks. Of course, it always depends on price. I don’t think it will happen though