The Chicago Bears are going to take Caleb Williams first overall, but there are plenty of questions about what the team will do with the ninth overall pick. Of course, how the board falls will have a huge impact on what the team does.
What are the best potential outcomes for the Bears on draft night?
3. One of the best receivers is within trade-up range for the Chicago Bears
The top players in this draft are the top three wide receivers; Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze. Considering there are four quarterbacks expected to go high, at least one of these players is going to be available with the seventh pick in the draft.
The Bears pick ninth, so while they cannot be guaranteed to get one, they could be right within striking distance to do it. This would be a win.
The Bears need to build up a supporting cast around Caleb Williams, and any of these receivers would be a massive addition to D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, who are already on the roster. In most years any of these receivers would be the top in their class. This year, the Bears get to add one by moving up just a couple of slots. This is a win, even if it does mean losing some draft equity, which may have to come from next year.
For someone like the Titans or Falcons, they are only moving back one or two spots but picking up strong compensation. If the Bears land any of the top receivers, it will be hard to find the negative aspects of it.
2. The Chicago Bears trade back and add a tackle or pass rusher
The Chicago Bears could trade up, and if one of these top wideouts is within striking distance, they probably should. However, it may be better if the team ends up trading down from this slot. They currently have just four draft picks in this draft. Their ninth pick will obviously be the highest-value asset to return a serious draft return.
With that in mind, the Bears should be focused on trading back. One of the best scenarios would be seeing them trade back and then focus on the lines. Sitting at pick nine, they may be able to take any tackle that is not named Joe Alt. They also may be staring down all three edge rushers; Jared Verse, Dallas Turner, and Laitu Latu.
If that is the case, trading back is an excellent idea. They can get a few more picks this year, and there are three edge rushers, as well as about three offensive tackles, who could still be on the board when they pick as long as they do not fall too far back.
The question here would be, who is on the board for the team to trade back? If one of the top receivers is there, they will get the best trade offer, but they may want to take that player. Would they trade out of Joe Alt? Or is there a team that clearly prefers one of these top-three edge rushers? Bears fans would love to see the top three receivers off of the board, but their phone is still ringing.
1. One of the best receivers falls to the Chicago Bears at pick nine overall
The Bears may be inclined to trade up for one of the top receivers if they fall to number seven. However, a dream scenario is seeing any of Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison, or Rome Odunze on the board when the team makes their pick at nine overall.
There is a real chance this can happen, too. As we noted, there will be four quarterbacks going high, and with three receivers, they just need two players to go before one of these names and the Bears will be set.
Any defensive player that goes in the top eight picks is a dream scenario for the Bears. A tackle would help them immensely as well. Even if one of the top three receivers does not fall, it at least keeps a door open for Brock Bowers. Still, Bowers ended up going seventh overall; most Bears fans would not be disappointed.
There is a real chance that the Bears can sit back at nine, they can take the best player available, and that player would have been someone with whom they were discussing a trade-up just a few hours prior. This is not only the best-case outcome for the Bears; it is a realistic outcome for them.