5 things the Chicago Bears need to happen in the NFL Draft to get the best outcome at No. 9

The Seahawks, Raiders, Lions, and Atlanta Falcons do not take a quarterback.

It seems clear that the Panthers and Colts are taking a quarterback. The Seahawks and Lions could be tempted to take a quarterback to sit behind their veteran signal callers and develop while they wait. The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason, but his injury history gives no indication he is a viable long-term plan.

The Falcons should upgrade at quarterback over Desmond Ridder.

The Bears need to hope the Seahawks and Lions decide to address the quarterback of the future later in the draft.

They also need to hope the Raiders choose to address another position. They could use a cornerback. Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon or Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez might be available when Las Vegas is on the clock.

Chicago needs to hope Atlanta stays committed to Ridder.

If that is the case, it leaves two quarterback prospects available at No. 9. The Bears should not take a quarterback, but it does leave them open for business with a team wanting to trade up to get a quarterback.

The Titans and the Washington Commanders need a viable long-term quarterback so they might be motivated to trade up. The Bears could get be a good trade partner, add some additional draft capital, and still be in a position to get good offensive linemen or edge rushers.

The Falcons do not trade back.

If one of the four top-rated quarterback prospects (Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson) are still on the board at No. 8, then it might be Atlanta getting a good trade return with a team wanting to get one of those players.

The Falcons could think running back Bijan Robinson is worth investing a high pick on a non-premium position. Robinson is ultra-talented, but running back has been devalued over the years.

Atlanta does have former Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace in their front office and taking Robinson sounds like something Pace would.

The Raiders pick (or do not pick) Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski.

The Raiders could go with an offensive tackle at No. 7. They might want to take Skoronski as he is considered the best offensive line prospect in the draft. The problem is Skoronski’s arm size is short for an offensive tackle.

He might be a better guard in the NFL. That is why some are in the camp of hoping Skoronski is off the board before he gets to No. 9. If you are in the pro-Skoronski camp, you want the Raiders to go with another position.