In his latest mock draft, NFL insider Peter Schrager sends Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Batemen to the Bears with the 20th pick. Considering the Bears’ short-term needs and desires to fill the position on a long-term basis, this makes sense. And we’ll dive into a bit of that later.
But it’s this nugget that catches my attention: “I think the Bears are prime candidates to move out of the No. 20 spot to collect some additional picks in the later rounds.” Oh.
Before sending Bateman to the Bears, Schrager offers up the idea of the Bears being a trade DOWN option. We’ve read and relayed various tidbits regarding Chicago as a team looking to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft. HOWEVA … this is the first such mention of the Bears moving down from a news-breaker or draftnik. That’s enough to set off alarms in my head, especially this close to the Draft.
All things considered, trading down and collecting additional draft capital is the preferential option this side of trading up for a quarterback such as Justin Fields. With uncertainty at starting spots such as outside corner, slot defender, receiver, and at two offensive line spots, a wise move would be to move back and add picks that could slide into those positions. And while moving back might not be popular among those who have been starving for the Bears to make a first-round pick, the allure of more picks is certainly enticing.
The challenge for the Bears might be finding a trade partner. Teams tend to move up for quarterbacks. But if a top-5 QB is sitting there waiting to be drafted when Chicago goes on the clock, wouldn’t it behoove them to make the pick themselves? Sure. But if that QB isn’t someone the team grades highly, dealing out of that spot to get picks to bring in players (plural!) they like seems ideal.
I want to wrap my arms around a deal that could net the Bears some more much-needed draft capital. But the last time there was ample chatter surrounding the team moving back, GM Ryan Pace slid UP one spot in 2017. In other words, beware of smokescreens (while also being attentive when it comes to smoke in the area).