I recently wrote about how high the Chicago Bears could move up in the 2021 NFL Draft should Ryan Pace decide to throw caution to the wind and trade up for a quarterback. In my opinion, moving from 20th-overall to eighth-overall is likely as high as the Bears can get, and honestly, with Carolina owning that pick, I do not see even that happening.
With the 49ers trading up to third overall, the likelihood of quarterbacks going with the first three picks is now very likely. As projected, the first-overall pick should be Trevor Lawrence going to the Jaguars. The Jets are a wild card right now, and honestly, might be the only chance the Chicago Bears have at getting a quarterback — more on that later.
If the Jets take Zach Wilson second-overall, it is likely that the 49ers will draft Justin Fields, Trey Lance or Mac Jones with the third pick in the draft. That is potentially three quarterbacks gone within the first three picks. That only leaves two other quarterbacks left with first-round grades.
Now, as I said, the Jets are a bit of a wild card. Some rumors have been going around that the Jets might decide to stick with 2018 first-round draft pick Sam Darnold. Although non-committal on the plan regarding the quarterback position, new head coach Robert Saleh has made it known he believes Sam Darnold is an unbelievable talent. Does this mean he wants to keep him? No one knows right now for sure, but most believe the answer is no and this is just a trade tactic.