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2017 NFL Draft: Trading down in first round may be key to Chicago Bears draft

By Carlos Nazario

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears have options in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The key to success, however, may be trading down in the first round. Is this possible?

After a disastrous 2016 season, the Chicago Bears look to the 2017 NFL Draft for help in turning things around. They have high draft picks in nearly every round, so the options of prospects are plentiful.

The key to a successful draft, however, may lie in that important first round. The Bears own the third overall pick in the draft, and there are a number of very good players available. A lot of mocks have the Bears choosing from Jonathan Allen, Jamal Adams, Malik Hooker and Deshaun Watson. Those are but just a few prospects who can make an impact in Chicago.

In order to maximize effectiveness, though, the Bears need to trade down in that first round. Doing so should yield them extra draft picks they can use later to fill more holes than they would have with just the picks they currently have.

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Mitchell Trubisky a key?

One of the ways in which the Bears can trade that third pick is by having another team fall in love with a quarterback. There are teams in desperate need of a quarterback, probably the most important position on the field. They need that face of the franchise, and they’ll certainly overpay to move up and grab someone they fall in love with.

ESPN draft guru feels Mitchell Trubisky could be an important part of the draft for the Chicago Bears. No, the Bears probably don’t pick him. What he feels may happen is that the Cleveland Browns, along with the New York Jets among other teams, may really like Trubisky. Here is his thought on that (via Jeff Dickerson on ESPN’s NFL Nation):

"I think you look at the Cleveland Browns [as a team possibly willing to trade up). If they, in fact, take Myles Garrett No. 1, they’re also picking at No. 12 and they may fear the Jets could take Mitchell Trubisky at No. 6 and look to move ahead.There has been talk that Tennessee could move down, we’ll see about Jacksonville, but if the Bears want to move out of three I think that could be a spot for Cleveland to jump up and take Trubisky."

I recently wrote about another scenario that could help the Bears. They could trade for Sheldon Richardson. The Jets could move up and secure their shot at Trubisky if that’s who they want. The Bears get to kill two birds with one stone, getting a defensive lineman they covet without having to get a rookie. The crop is thin on that group in this draft. After you get past Garrett, Allen, and Solomon Thomas, there isn’t a lot. Garrett and Thomas may go one and two, and Allen has question marks concerning the health of his shoulders. Also, that trade possibility may trigger a bidding war. The Browns are loaded with picks in this year’s and next year’s draft. If they catch wind of a

Also, that trade possibility may trigger a bidding war. The Browns are loaded with picks in this year’s and next year’s draft. If they catch wind of the possibility of Trubisky going three, they may be desperate enough to up the ante.

Next: Bears seven-round mock draft

Whatever happens come April 27th, I’m sure that it will be an exciting time for Chicago Bears fans. The Bears are in the middle of a lot that may happen in the 2017 NFL Draft. Hopefully, Ryan Pace and company make the right moves to bring a winning team back to Soldier Field.

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