NEWSLETTER
When it comes to making trades on NFL Draft weekend, the Chicago Bears are apparently open for business.
OK, well, that’s not *EXACTLY* what General Manager Ryan Poles told reporters at Halas Hall on Tuesday. But that certainly seemed to be the gist of it:
"I'd love to do some movement and get more picks. It just has to be in the right area." – #Bears GM Ryan Poles.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) April 26, 2022
Can’t believe everything (anything?) you hear this time of year, but from Bears GM Ryan Poles: "I do think we will be in the business — depending on where it is and what it looks like — in moving back and trying to create more (draft capital).”
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) April 26, 2022
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain is right to point out that you can’t really believe anything you hear this time of year. However, Poles has been consistent in expressing his desires to build through the draft *AND* to collect draft picks. And if Poles plays his cards right, he can successfully do both this weekend. In fact, it sure as heck sounds like that might be the plan. Especially if Chris Emma’s assessment of the situation in on target.
Via Emma’s latest at 670 The Score:
“It seems likely that the Bears will look to trade down — perhaps multiple times — and acquire additional selections. … The Bears could also choose to trade back from one of their three Day 2 picks if their draft board remains deep in options as the events unfold.”
The Bears currently have six picks. Three of them are on Day 2, with two (Nos. 39 and 48) coming in the second round. Either of the two top-50 picks could be tantalizing for a team with eyes on making a move up the board. Their third second-day pick comes in Round 3 (No. 71 overall), and could be appealing in its own right. If you’ll recall, the 2019 NFL Draft saw the Patriots use the 73rd pick to get the 87th overall pick, a fifth-rounder (162nd overall) in the same class, and a 2020 fourth-rounder from the Bears so they could take David Montgomery. Being on the receiving end of a nice draft haul this time around would be a pleasant surprise. Chicago’s draft weekend wraps with three Day 3 picks (Nos. 148, 150, and 186).
That is, of course, unless they find ways to tack on draft capital between now and the time the draft closes its doors on Saturday afternoon. And it sure seems like Poles is angling for it.
