Big news revealed regarding the Bears’ first overall pick
On Monday morning, news broke about what the Chicago Bears plan on doing with their first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Ultimately, I think this is the right decision for the direction of the franchise.
According to Adam Schefter, the Bears are apparently “leaning towards” trading the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This would subsequently mean that the team plans on building around Justin Fields as the franchises quarterback of the future.
Obviously, leaning towards does not necessarily mean that they are firmly sold on not taking a QB, but I think that was their plan all along.
Sources: The Bears already have been approached by multiple teams about trading the draft’s No. 1 overall pick, and Chicago is said to be “leaning toward” moving the pick. So the No. 1 pick now looks like it’s for sale. pic.twitter.com/2w03L6qP0L
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2023
Now, the next step in the process for Chicago is to field potential offers for teams who are in all likelihood wanting to move up to select a QB.
Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Anthony Richardson seem like the most likely candidates to be the first QB off the board in 2023.
Teams like the Seahawks and Lions could take a QB, as they are able to pick within the top 10 because of owning other team’s picks. It could be a bold strategy for both of those clubs specifically, but I don’t see them pulling that trigger.
As for the Bears, they would likely get a haul for this top pick, and boy do they need it. The team is lacking talent on both sides of the ball to say the absolute least. They need serious talent along their offensive line and with their pass catchers.
Hopefully, GM Ryan Poles uses the abundance of cap space he has and the likely abundance of draft picks he’ll get to build around Fields. In a way, I almost find it hard to believe that Poles can mess this up.
Furthermore, depending on how far down they trade, they may want to trade down twice, perhaps trying to get close to the 10th overall pick. They’d still be in line to land a top WR or OL prospect, but I think if they’d trade down to the 5th overall pick, for example, I’m not sure an offensive prospect is worth taking that high.