Chicago Bears trade a surprise player in this 2022 mock draft

The Chicago Bears make a surprise trade in Round 2

Before we get into any of the draft selections, let’s look at the surprise trade that the Bears decide to pull off in Round 2.

This offseason, there was a little speculation as to whether the Bears would keep Cody Whitehair or cut him to save some additional cap space. Whitehair stuck, for now, but if Poles wanted to try and secure some serious draft capital, he could look at the Baltimore Ravens as a possible trade partner.

The Ravens have a need on the interior line right now, but the difference between them and the Bears is that they are more ready to win right now. With Lamar Jackson under center and a run-first offense, they need as good of a line as they can possibly get.

In this deal, the Bears use their no. 39 pick along with Whitehair to move back six spots in the second round, where they will first pick at no. 45. But, they also get picks 76 and 100 in the third round, giving Poles some serious flexibility and additional draft capital.

From there, he could go after a Whitehair replacement, along with another lineman to bring in and compete as well. Dealing Whitehair clears roughly $28 million off the future books for the Bears, too, including a $14 million hit in 2023.

Now, the Bears are set up with a fantastic crop of draft picks for the rest of the weekend. Let’s see how they use their first selection, up ahead.