The Chicago Bears made a bold move in the 2021 NFL draft when they traded up from the 20th pick to the 11th pick to select quarterback Justin Fields from Ohio State.
Fields was widely regarded as one of the best prospects in the draft and a potential franchise quarterback for the Bears, who have been searching for one for decades.
However, trading up to get Fields came at a cost. The Bears had to give up their first-round pick in 2022, as well as their fourth-round pick in 2021 and 2022, to the New York Giants. This left them with only five picks in the 2021 draft and limited their ability to address other needs on their roster.
Now, according to a report by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are looking to trade down from their current spot in the 2022 draft, which is projected to be the 13th pick based on their 6-11 record in 2021.
The reason? They want to recoup some of the draft capital they lost in the Fields trade and add more young talent to their team.
Biggs writes that the Bears are “open for business” and that they have already received some inquiries from other teams about their first-round pick.
He also notes that the Bears have several areas of need that they could address with multiple picks, such as offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, safety and edge rusher.
The Bears are not alone in wanting to trade down in the 2022 draft. The draft class is considered to be weaker than usual, especially at the quarterback position, which usually drives up the value of the top picks.
Many teams may prefer to accumulate more picks and increase their chances of finding quality players in the later rounds.
Of course, trading down is easier said than done. It takes two teams to make a deal, and the Bears will have to find a partner that is willing to give up enough value to make it worth their while.
They will also have to weigh the opportunity cost of passing on a potential star player at their original spot.
The Bears have made some big trades in recent years, both up and down the draft board. They traded up to get Fields in 2021, linebacker Roquan Smith in 2018 and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in 2017. They traded down to get running back David Montgomery in 2019 and tight end Adam Shaheen in 2017.
Will they make another trade in 2022? We will have to wait and see what happens when the draft rolls around in April. But for now, we know why they are looking to trade down again.
Final Thoughts: Chicago Bears’ Plan to Trade Down in the 2022 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears made a risky move in the 2021 NFL draft by trading up to select Justin Fields, which cost them their first-round pick in 2022, as well as their fourth-round picks in 2021 and 2022.
As a result, the Bears have limited draft capital in 2022, and they are now considering trading down from their projected 13th pick to recoup some of that lost draft capital.
The Bears have several areas of need, including offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and edge rusher, that they could address with multiple picks if they trade down.
Additionally, the 2022 draft class is considered weaker than usual, which could drive down the value of the top picks, making it more desirable for teams to accumulate more picks and increase their chances of finding quality players in the later rounds.
However, trading down is not a guaranteed solution for the Bears. They must find a partner willing to give up enough value to make the trade worthwhile, and they must also consider the opportunity cost of passing on a potential star player at their original spot.
The Bears have had mixed results in recent trades, including trading up for Fields and Mitchell Trubisky, and trading down for David Montgomery and Adam Shaheen. As a result, it is difficult to predict their draft strategy in 2022.
In conclusion, the Bears’ plan to trade down in the 2022 NFL draft is a sensible move given their limited draft capital and numerous areas of need. However, they must carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of trading down and find a partner willing to make a deal that is mutually beneficial.
