Three trade-down scenarios for the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft

Chicago Bears Trade Scenario: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans, who are currently picking second and twelfth in this year's draft, are a prime trade-down target for a couple of reasons. First, a trade from nine to twelve would likely net the 33rd overall pick as well, recouping the high second-round pick that the Bears traded to the Steelers in exchange for Chase Claypool. Chicago would likely have to include a later second or third-round pick to make the trade work, but this would set the Bears up with picks number 12, 33, 53, and either 61 or 64 in terms of their top selections.

For Houston, this trade might make a lot of sense depending on how the board shakes out. With a number of needs and a strong possibility that they draft a quarterback second overall, the Texans could move up, jumping their division rival in the Tennessee Titans, in order to draft either a defensive or offensive lineman, both of which are positions that the Texans and Titans could both use. Plus, for a team with new leadership in head coach and former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans, the team could look to move up in order to secure a franchise player on the defensive side of the ball.

It's also not unheard of for a team with two first-round picks to trade up with their second first-round pick. Just last year, the Detroit Lions traded up from the 32nd overall pick (which the team acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Matthew Stafford) all the way up to the 12th overall pick to select wide receiver, Jameson Williams. If the Texans wanted to make a similar move to ensure two top-ten selections while leapfrogging a division rival, the Bears certainly seem like a realistic trade partner.