Exactly one week from today, Chicago Bears fans will hopefully be raving about the team’s first few picks in the 2023 NFL Draft while awaiting what Day 3 will bring. More than likely, that day will bring a whole lot of trades across the league.
On Day 1 of the draft, we could see some potentially monumental type deals come to fruition. Throughout the entire weekend, though, don’t be surprised if Ryan Poles makes a handful of deals.
Some could surprise us, some might even send shockwaves through the NFL, but don’t count on something like this happening.
Let’s say the Bears do make some surprise moves next weekend. If so, they could look like one of the following.
Surprise trades the Chicago Bears could make in the 2023 NFL Draft: A Teven Jenkins trade
Since Poles took over as general manager, offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has been one of the names to watch when it comes to any semblance of a trade rumor. Jenkins, a guy Ryan Pace traded a whole lot to go up and get, didn’t seem to be Poles’ type from the get-go.
Jenkins still holds a lot of potential as a former second-round pick, but with the way his first two seasons have gone, it’s not likely Chicago gets anything higher than a mid-round pick for him. Still, if the opportunity presents itself, Poles should make it happen, because it looks like Jenkins is going to play guard and may not have a starting spot assuming Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick hang around.
The Colts’ offensive line was one of the worst in football last year, and they enter the draft with interior linemen as a top-five need. Of course, they’ll need a quarterback more than anything. But, that line won’t be able to protect said quarterback or block for Jonathan Taylor as-is.
Jenkins’ youth and tenacious style of play will be welcomed, and he could very well show even more development playing alongside a player like Quenton Nelson.
Surprise trades the Chicago Bears could make in the 2023 NFL Draft: A trade up for Jalen Carter
The second of potential surprise trades could involve one of the hottest, most polarizing names in this class over the past month. Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter could be the second overall pick in this draft, if he didn’t have off-field question marks.
But, because of a fatal car crash he was involved in, Carter’s draft stock took a hit. Even though Carter cooperated and was not under the influence of any chemicals, his being there is still a red flag to many organizations and scouts. If he drops out of the top four, though, that’s when Poles must pick up the phone.
The Bears trade up four spots with the Seattle Seahawks, giving up a second rounder this year and a fourth rounder next year, but also netting a fifth-round pick in return. At no. 5, the Bears take a generational talent in Carter, who helps this defense continue its facelift in a big way.
Carter does things at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds that no other human being should be able to do. The way he can totally wreck run plays within milliseconds is incredible to watch. Not to mention, he can get into the back field and rush the passer at his size.
If the opportunity to trade up and land Carter presents itself, even though he could still fall, the Bears have to take him. There is no chance he would get past Detroit at no. 6.
Surprise trades the Chicago Bears could make in the 2023 NFL Draft: A move back into the 1st Round
Lastly, don’t count out another big move on Day 1 from Ryan Poles. Whether or not the first surprise trade happens, the Bears could be watching the tail end of the first and still need an offensive tackle. There could be a great chance someone like Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison is there.
If Harrison, Georgia’s Broderick Jones or Tennessee’s Darnell Wright are on the board, Poles should make a surprise trade back into the first round, giving the Bears a second selection on Day 1.
Using Pro Football Reference’s chart for 2023 draft pick value, a fair deal for the Bears to move up into the end of the first round would look like this.
The Bengals actually get more value in this trade based on the value chart, but Chicago desperately needs another young, starting tackle to build their future upon. From here, let’s say the Bears addressed the defensive line earlier in the draft at no. 9. Now, they have the other side of the line addressed.
They’ll continue their draft with another pick in the second, the first pick in the third, and six more picks on Day 3.