Feb 4, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tiffanie Brncich holds a number 1 jersey of the Chicago Bears at the NFL Draft set at the NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Emery has made his bones as a college scout. He’s a road warrior who’s constantly crisscrossing the country evaluating collegiate players. That’s his strength and he knows it. It’s got to be killing him to only have five draft picks in the upcoming NFL draft.
After addressing their two most glaring needs in free agency, the Bears have positioned themselves well to select based on talent rather than need on draft day.
"“That’s why I’m so excited about the two players we were able to sign so far, it’s given us so much flexibility,” he said. “To put it bluntly, we’re open for business. If teams want to talk to us about trading back, we’re all ears.”"
Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Emery. All ears. Insert joke here. Har har har.
But the joke could be on the rest of the league if the Bears can pull off some moves to add some draft picks. The Bears still have plenty of needs that they could and should address in the draft, but with a new left tackle and tight end in house, the Bears don’t have to try to reach at #20.
If we use our trusty Draft Value Chart, the Bears 20th pick is worth 850 points. If the Bears were to trade out of #20, they could pick up a pair of second round picks. The Bengals hold picks #37 and #53 in the second round. The value of those picks is 900. The Bears could trade back their 5th rounder and you’d be just about even.
I need to do a little more research to see what other trading partners could be out there, but all it takes is one team to fall in love with a prospect who slides a little bit on draft day and you’ve got a deal.
What do you think? Should the Bears try to trade down and get more picks or should they aim to get a better player at #20?