Chicago Bears: Three teams to trade down with in round one
By Usayd Koshul
Let’s call the Chicago Bears first-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft one word: Unpredictable. The Bears are indeed one of the toughest teams to project in round one. Chicago could trade up for a quarterback, stand pat at 20th overall, or simply even trade down.
For General Manager Ryan Pace, he’s only ever done two of the three scenarios mentioned above. Pace’s draft history in round one is full of trade-ups (Mitchell Trubisky and Leonard Floyd). He also opted to stand pat in 2015 and 2018, drafting wide receiver Kevin White and linebacker Roquan Smith.
Chicago did not have first-round draft selections in 2019 and 2020, as both picks were shipped off to the Las Vegas Raiders in the blockbuster deal that landed the Bears Khalil Mack ahead of the 2018 regular-season opener.
Who are three teams that the Chicago Bears could trade down within round one?
Trading down in round one has never really been an option for Pace. The aggressive yet much lambasted general manager has always opted to trade up, citing reasons as being aggressive when it comes to roster building.
This year, trading down should be a serious option for the Bears. Despite having first, second, and third-round draft choices, the Bears simply have too many needs but too few resources. Trading down allows the Bears to acquire extra draft capital in rounds two, three, and four, setting the stage for extra draft picks that will mean more youth on an aging roster.
The first-round draft order means the Bears’ options will still be limited when it comes to trading down. Three teams could make the most sense: New York Jets (23rd overall), Cleveland Browns (26th overall), and Baltimore Ravens (27th and 31st overall).
As Chicago continues to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, let’s break down why the three teams mentioned above could make sense if the Bears decide to trade down.