Chicago Bears Haven’t Traded Up In Years—These Names May Change That
The Chicago Bears sit 25th in the 1st round NFL draft order next month. That is the lowest the team has selected since 2011, when they were 29th. This creates a challenge for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson to find a potential difference-making talent. Last year was a huge success for them, landing tight end Colston Loveland. He looked like a budding star towards the end of the season. Duplicating that success is an obvious goal, but they won’t have a top-10 pick to make it easier.
Most take this to mean the Bears will do one of two things. Either they will take the best player on their board and hope for the best, or they will trade down to accumulate more picks, improving their chances of landing good players. However, there is a possibility they make a true splash by moving up in the 1st round. It hasn’t happened in five years. In fact, Ryan Pace remains the only Bears GM to ever move up in the 1st round. Poles could join him, but it may depend on who is available.
| Year | Player | Original Pick | Traded To | Draft Assets Surrendered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Justin Fields (QB) | No. 20 | No. 11 | 2021 1st (No. 20) & 5th; 2022 1st & 4th |
| 2017 | Mitchell Trubisky (QB) | No. 3 | No. 2 | 2017 1st (No. 3), 3rd, & 4th; 2018 3rd |
| 2016 | Leonard Floyd (LB) | No. 11 | No. 9 | 2016 1st (No. 11) & 4th |
Four names likely interest the Chicago Bears.
Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
The Bears are a run-oriented football team under Johnson. Most of his scheme is built around success on the ground and on play-action for explosive shots down the field. One thing the coach has never really had is a true three-down stallion who can do everything. Love is undeniably that guy. He has the size necessary for heavy workloads, can power through tackles, and has breakaway speed to house it if he gets a lane. He’s drawing comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs and Jamaal Charles, but he’s bigger than both of them. There is no way Johnson wouldn’t leap at the chance to add a stud like that to the Bears’ backfield.
David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
The last time the Bears drafted a true difference-making pass rusher was probably Trace Armstrong in 1989. Since then, it has been a parade of disappointment. They badly need somebody explosive enough to complement Montez Sweat. Nobody embodies that better than Bailey. He has a lightning-quick first step, a red-hot motor, excellent closing speed, and enough power to keep offensive tackles honest. After failing to land that type of pass rusher in free agency and coming up short on Maxx Crosby, this would be the move that could give the defense the boost it needs. Bailey is a foundational talent.
Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
Linebackers may not be a premium position, but there are certain specimens that just transcend positional value. Brian Urlacher was one. Luke Kuechley was another. Styles comes across as that ultra-rare breed. He is a freakish athlete, boasting size and speed for days. His instincts and discipline are both good and he’s one of the best tacklers at his position in this class. The Chicago Bears have searched for that next Urlacher for the past 14 years. Styles is the closest to that category in a long time. If he somehow drops into range, the team has plenty of good reasons to go get him.
Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
People aren’t ready to believe the Bears would draft a receiver early, let alone trading up in the 1st round. However, it’s important to remember who is in charge. Johnson calls the shots, and if he wants another weapon, he’ll get it. The Bears traded D.J. Moore, leaving their receiving corps in an uncertain spot. Somebody like Cooper Jr. is exactly what the head coach would love. He’s tough, strong, a solid route-runner, and at his most dangerous after the catch. He’s earned multiple comparisons to Deebo Samuel, who would’ve been Johnson’s idea receiver in another life. Nobody is better equipped to fill that Moore void than the Indiana standout.