Reports Hint Unexpected Team Is Targeting Chicago Bears’ 9th Pick
The Chicago Bears aren’t going anywhere at the #1 pick. They’re taking Caleb Williams. It is the 9th pick where people wonder what GM Ryan Poles might do. He could take the boring route and stay put, taking the best player on his board. That would most likely be a wide receiver or pass rusher. However, there is a strong undercurrent of belief that Chicago wants to trade down from that spot. They only have four picks in this draft. That would be a franchise record low if it doesn’t change. It comes down to if Poles can find a team willing to make a deal.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, one team is being quite aggressive in their efforts to reach the top 10. That is the Los Angeles Rams. GM Les Snead is notorious for things like this. It is L.A.’s first time in the 1st round since 2016, and they’re already hoping to go after a prospect they really like. Their likely endgame would be grabbing a top offensive tackle to help protect Matthew Stafford. They could also opt for another playmaker to pair with breakout star Puka Nakua.
Chicago feels like an obvious spot to target for them.
The Chicago Bears must weigh this risk carefully.
Los Angeles selects 19th in the 1st round. Most experts believe the strength of this draft class start fading around the early 20s, maybe even the mid-teens. There is a strong possibility the Bears could miss out on some of their top-rated prospects with such a move. Poles would have to be confident he can still land a talented player. On the other hand, moving down that far means they should able to secure a healthy return in draft capital. Maybe two Day 2 picks or even a future 1st rounder.
Poles has never done business with the Rams before, so this would be an interesting negotiation. It will hinge on if the player L.A. wants is still on the board when the Chicago Bears pick. Expectations persist there could be a run on offensive tackles early, which explains why Snead wants to move up. It feels more and more like the Bears will have suitors for their pick when the draft goes live tonight. It depends how the board ahead of them falls and how strong the offers to move up are.