2018 NFL Draft: Who could Chicago Bears trade back for in the first round?

Tremaine Edmunds (?), LB (Virginia Tech)

Yes, I am aware that we’ve been talking for a while about the Chicago Bears taking him at No. 8 overall. And he definitely has the talent and monster upside that could tempt a team to do so.

His combination of length, speed and versatility could make him a premier linebacker in the league capable of moving inside and outside, and even covering slot receivers, to fit whatever a defense needs.

At only 19 years, he could be at it for a long time, too. And having a potentially extended prime for a player like that could be special.

But his awareness, not surprisingly, needs some work. Also, the fact that he doesn’t have a set position just yet could keep him out of the top 10.

Though he has the length and profile to play as an edge rusher in a 3-4 defense, he didn’t actually play that position in college. As such, he’d need to learn the intricacies of that position quickly to see the field early in his Chicago career, if he came here.

If the Bears traded back to No. 11 (swapping with the Miami Dolphins) or No. 12 (Buffalo Bills) and Edmunds was still on the board, he might not slide much farther. His value at that spot could be too good to pass up. Then again, it may well prove that someone else could take a flier on him before that.

But with rumblings about Harold Landry climbing up peoples’ draft boards, Denzel Ward possibly going in the top 10, Marcus Davenport intriguing people and the trade bait of Rosen dangling, Edmunds could slide just far enough for the Chicago Bears to conveniently scoop him up in the top 15 if the right trade fell their way.

No guarantees, though.