5 questions that will determine the Bears 2023 NFL Draft approach
By Evan Bruner
No. 5: Is trading back always worth it?
If we learned anything from Ryan Poles’ first draft as general manager last spring, it’s that he isn’t afraid of trading back. He moved back several times during the third day of the draft, accumulating several additional picks in the process.
Poles’ unspoken mantra of “when in doubt, trade back” was a refreshing change of pace from his predecessor, and has been praised by the analytics community for his patience.
What is less certain is if this philosophy was specific to the 2022 draft, where the Bears lacked a first-round pick and were looking for any opportunity possible to amass picks or a general principle.
The Bears have already traded back once in this draft, and they will have opportunities to do so again. The question is if this is what’s best for Chicago going forward.
More than anything, the Bears lack high-end talent. Since 2018, the Bears have made one first-round pick, and the roster reflects that. Trading back results in more long-term value, as the team trading up has to give more in future assets for present picks. But at some point, those picks need to result in players, preferably impactful ones.
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Whether or not the Chicago Bears continue to trade back or sit tight with what they already have will shape the roster for 2023, which will subsequently affect where the team is drafting in 2024 and beyond.