Scenario No. 1: Trade into the 2nd Round
Bears fans know they can never count Ryan Pace out of a bold move. Just look at his history with the Bears. Whether it was trading up one spot to draft Mitchell Trubisky, gambling on Mike Glennon or sending a huge package to land Khalil Mack, Pace has been as gutsy a general manager as there is in the NFL. Sometimes it’s paid off, sometimes it’s been questionable and other times — like the Glennon signing — it’s blown up in his face.
With that said, if Pace sees a player he absolutely has to have in the second round, he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. The way he’s always played the game is this: Worry about this year, this year. Next year, and years beyond, will take care of themselves. He can always find a way to acquire more draft capital. He’s proven that.
Top 2nd Round prospects worth trading up for:
Edge Rusher Chase Winovich, Michigan
Running Back Joshua Jacobs, Alabama
Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
Tight End Noah Fant, Iowa
Safety Taylor Rapp, Washington
The two most interesting prospects here, to me, are Fant and Rapp. Those have been two guys I’ve loved for a while now, but knowing the Bears don’t have a pick high enough to land them, I haven’t given them much consideration. However, as I said, if Pace is in love with them and their value (depending on where they fall), don’t be shocked if he goes up and snags them.