Best of the Bears: Could Chicago trade back from No. 25 overall in NFL Draft?
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Could the Bears trade back from No. 25 in the NFL Draft?
Thanks, everybody. The Bears.
Clay, there was a report that came out yesterday from Jordan Schultz, and here's what it says regarding how much movement there could be in the draft. The expectation among many NFL teams is that the 2026 draft will be one of the more trade-heavy drafts in recent memory, according to multiple league sources. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball, edge, cornerback, and linebacker are all strong and deep, while wide receiver is typically considered to be the most talented offensive position. Several executives I've spoken with believe we are likely to see a flurry of activity in the first half of round one. Additionally, because this specific draft lacks depth in the later rounds, many teams plan to pursue extra day two and day three picks per league sources.
The lack of later round depth I have seen will move markets. It will have people be more active. I also think the Bears at 25, based on what Ryan Poles has said about he not having as many players on his draft board, really could play into this possibility.
Yeah, I 100% agree with that. When... I think this could work for trade up and trade down scenarios because when you're sitting there and there's a guy you love, say the Bears have 10 guys with round one grades that they would be willing to take and there's one left, you have a blue chip player and he's there at 20, there at 21, you're sitting at 25, you fall in love with this guy. I'm saying like say Monroe Freeling drops, you know, obviously Caden Proctor drops. You have these guys graded high, then you're willing to trade up.
What are the implications of a trade-heavy NFL Draft?
But again, I'm with you, Layla, and I think that the best scenario in this draft is to trade back and get depth, especially where the Bears are at 25, because I think you need more shots on goal. I know the Bears aren't in their typical scenario in which they need to find eight starters in the draft. Right now, I think a couple, two, three players could really make a difference. I'm sorry, we're used to the Bears going in there and being like, yeah, we need an edge, a receiver, a running back, a tight end. It's like, pick anybody.
Left tackle for infinity.
Best player available because we need all the best players because our players aren't the best.
And it's good to not be in that situation. But obviously now at 25, you're actually in a pretty good position because you can kind of see the way the board's falling.
Is this a situation where, like, say someone wants that 25th pick, right? Does it make sense because of the way... the depth lines up at those positions, specifically the ones the Bears need defensive line-wise, to say, yes, we will trade away our 25th pick, and now we've got four second-round picks.
Absolutely. The way the edge position, if you're locked on edge, like I said, I think there are some good players.
How has Ryan Poles' strategy impacted the Bears' draft approach?
Keldrick Fox, a guy that kind of fits the Dennis Allen build. I already talked about TJ Parker from Clemson, Zion Young from Missouri. But if you could trade back, because those guys, at least Zion Young and TJ Parker, are They're borderline first-rounders. So if you could trade back, you would still have a shot at at least one of these guys, I think. And edge is deep. Like that article said, Malachi Lawrence isn't great against the run, but he's a guy from UCF, is just an excellent pass rusher. 250 pounds, 6'4", long arms, ran a 4.52 at the combine, jumped 40 inches, a 10.10 broad jump. He's a guy that you could probably get in the middle of the second, I think, before the Bears pick in second. But if you trade back, he would be there.
Gabe Ackes, another one of those guys. I know I've talked about him from Illinois. Ran a 4.69, 30 reps on the bench press at the Combine, which is impressive. I would know, Marshall, because that's what I did. No, I knew you were going to say that.
What are the Bears' positional needs heading into the draft?
He's a guy that if you trade down, you know you would get him. At 57, you're waiting there. You're holding your breath. You're sweating, hoping he gets to you. So you would take a little bit out of that guessing game, and you would have a more accurate chance of getting this guy.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Could the Bears trade back from No. 25 in the NFL Draft?
0:01–2:05
2
What are the implications of a trade-heavy NFL Draft?
2:05–3:11
3
How has Ryan Poles' strategy impacted the Bears' draft approach?
3:11–4:03
4
What are the Bears' positional needs heading into the draft?
4:03–4:52
5
Which players could the Bears target if they trade back?
4:52–5:38
6
What is Ben Johnson's vision for the Bears' roster?
5:38–6:54
7
How does Dexter Lawrence's trade request affect the Bears?
6:54–7:31
8
What are the potential outcomes for the Bears in the upcoming draft?
7:31–56:19
Speakers
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