Chicago Bears NFL Draft: 3 first round mistakes to avoid

First round mistakes the Chicago Bears should avoid in 2023 NFL Draft: Failing to trade back with a QB on the board

Lastly, and most importantly, nothing else matters if there is a quarterback on the board at no. 9. And, by “quarterback,” that’s referring to either C.J. Stroud, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson, because it’s almost a guarantee that Bryce Young is going number 1 to the Panthers.

Going back to Schefter’s report about only two quarterbacks in the top four picks, the Bears very well could see one fall to them at no. 9, meaning they would immediately trade that pick as soon as they could.

If Young went no. 1, then the Houston Texans would likely take Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson at no. 2. The Arizona Cardinals, at no. 3, would likely go Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson or Georgia’s Jalen Carter, one would assume.

From there, it’s the Colts taking a quarterback at four. Then, the Seattle Seahawks would probably go defense at no. 5 after paying Geno Smith $75 million over three years. Sixth, you have the Detroit Lions, who don’t need a quarterback just yet after Jared Goff had one of the best years of his career. Pairing a top defensive player with Aidan Hutchinson and that revamped unit is top priority for Dan Campbell.

Then, at no. 7, you have the Las Vegas Raiders, who very well could take a quarterback. But, they also paid Jimmy Garoppolo a handsome amount of money to be their starter for at least this year, if not next as well. Vegas is also a rumored landing spot for Trey Lance, so that could alter things as well.

Now, you’re at no. 8 where the Falcons could take a quarterback and still leave one on the board for the Bears. See where we’re going here? Another trade, another haul of tremendous value.