Could the Chicago Bears trade down with the Steelers and get Chase Claypool for free? Reports are that Steelers GM, Omar Khan has been in talks with Ryan Poles about a possible trade-up scenario. As it stands, the Steelers are sitting at 17 and the Chicago Bears are sitting at nine. I don't believe we will see a Bears trade happen before Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft, but come draft night I think it could be a possibility.
Of course, it will all come down to who falls where and which teams make other trades. If I had to guess, based on the fact there are a few other teams rumored to be interested in moving up to nine, the Steelers are probably in contact with many teams ahead of them to gauge interest and work out some possible behind the scene deals should the draft board fall certain ways.
Could the Chicago Bears make a Draft Day trade with the Steelers?
I like Omar Khan and he was ranked relatively high in my general manager rankings prior to the Chicago Bears hiring Ryan Poles (Poles was my top target by the way). What is crazy is if a trade between the Bears and Steelers happens, it would likely include the 32nd-overall pick that Poles sent to Pittsburgh prior to the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for Chase Claypool. Even though it doesn't work this way, it would almost feel as though Poles was able to trade Claypool for free.
If the Chicago Bears decide to move down in the first round, they could still find a solid starting-caliber player in the middle of the round. Pittsburgh could be the team they need to make that move down and add more draft capital in the upcoming draft. Let's take a look at what a trade-down could look like with the Steelers. Would you make this move if you were Ryan Poles?
The Chicago Bears could benefit from making this trade
If we look at what it would take for the Steelers to move up from 17 to nine, we could look close to home and compare it to the Chicago Bears trade from 2021 when Ryan Pace moved up from 20 to 11 to draft Justin Fields. Chicago moved up nine spots and gave up the 20th-overall pick, their 2021 fifth-round pick, and their first and fourth-round picks in 2022.
For the Steelers to move up from 17 to nine, we are looking at eight picks in between. The Steelers would need to give up something similar for Chicago to even consider this move. Personally, I would want less future picks and a higher-round pick in 2023. Here is what I think Ryan Poles could get from the Steelers if they truly want to move up from 17.
I know I alluded to the Steelers giving back the 32nd-overall pick they received in the Chase Claypool trade, but that would be a little too much of an overpay. It's not out of the realm of possibilities and it's what I'd demand if I was Poles, however, this is more realistic based on trade value charts. If Poles truly wants 32, then he could add their fourth-round pick at 103 to make it more even.
Players the Chicago Bears could end up with at 17 after this trade
If we look at a few different mock draft simulators, there are some key names that keep showing up. I ran 100 mock drafts on four different sites. Here is a list of the key names that the Chicago Bears could consider at 17.
Lukas Van Ness, EDGE - Iowa
Many people think that Lukas Van Ness could go as high as nine. I don't see it, but there is no guarantee he falls this far. That said, he has shown up enough times in the 100 simulations that I think he deserves a mention. Van Ness has great size and length. He fits the profile that Ryan Poles likes in his defensive linemen and would be a great option at 17.
Joey Porter, CB - Penn State
Corner is definitely an option for the Chicago Bears early. The team needs a third corner to be truly successful. I'm not sure Kindle Vildor is the answer. Alright, that's too kind. I know Kindle Vildor isn't the answer. Joey Porter isn't my top option but there is no way Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez falls this far. Porter wouldn't be my top option but he'd be a decent option at 17.
Calijah Kancey, DT - Pitt
A guy I would like to see taken at this point in the draft would be Calijah Kancey. Kancey doesn't have the length that matches what Ryan Poles and his staff seem to be looking for in the trenches, but everything else checks out. He can be a disruptor in the NFL and plays one of the most important positions on Matt Eberflus' defense.
Darnell Wright, OT - Oklahoma
I am only putting this name here to appease those who think Darnell Wright makes sense for the Chicago Bears. Personally, I don't believe he is a scheme fit for this offense and he doesn't fit the mold Ryan Poles is looking for in his offensive linemen. That said, at 17, he makes more sense than say the Bears taking him at nine.
Players the Chicago Bears could end up with at 49 after this trade
Let's assume that Ryan Poles isn't wanting to give up a pick to move up to 32 and would rather just gain a pick in the top 50. Therefore, he accepts the second-rounder at 49 instead of giving up 103 to move up to 32. With this trade, these players could be available for the Chicago Bears at 49.
John Michael Schmitz, C - Minnesota
My top center in the 2023 NFL Draft is John Michael Schmitz. I actually gave him a late first-round, early second-round grade. I'd take him before 49, but it's possible he does fall. If he does, I am hoping that Ryan Poles takes him despite not having an IOL targeted traits section on his board (see the recent 1920 Football Drive episode). Schmitz is a mauler and would set the tone in the middle of the Bears' line. I won't list them individually, but Joe Tippmann and Luke Wyper could also be strong options if Poles wants a center.
Matthew Bergeron, OT - Syracuse
A better scheme fit than Darnell Wright, Matthew Bergeron could be an offensive tackle that the Chicago Bears target in the second round. He should be available at 49 and fits the mold that the team seems to like in a lineman. If not Bergeron, other offensive linemen could include Anton Harrison, Cody Mauch and Blake Freeland.
B.J. Ojulari, DE - LSU
If the Chicago Bears wanted to target a defensive end at this point in the draft, B.J. Ojulari would be the guy I'd like to see. It's highly likely that Ojulari doesn't fall to 49 overall, but if he does he makes a great amount of sense. He has great speed to push around the edge and should fit in well with Matt Eberflus' scheme. Other options at the position include Isaiah Foskey, Keion White and/or Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Alright, what would you do in this situation? Would you be okay with moving down from nine to 17 for one of the players potentially still available or would you prefer the Chicago Bears get a top-10 prospect and stay at nine overall?