Here we go folks, the first bit of NFL Draft drama is here: The Chicago Bears have traded the 1st overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for the 9th overall pick, the 61st overall pick, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025, and wide receiver DJ Moore.
What a haul for the Bears. To only move back eight spots and get that much in return is just bonkers. There weren’t many doubts about whether the Bears would trade the pick, especially when they have a star like Justin Fields behind center. However, the move does put Chicago out of contention for Alabama phenom Will Anderson, so it’ll be interesting to see who they go for at pick #9.
Fields has said in the past that he’d like to draft Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba:
If this were to happen, the Bears would have a very scary offense. They lead the league in rushing yards this past season, and with the addition of DJ Moore they now have a WR1 to free up space for Chase Claypool and Darnel Mooney. If Smith-Njigba were added to that wide receiver room, I don’t know how defenses would prepare to face that offense. Because of this, I expect the Bears to go after one receiver and at least one offensive lineman with their three picks in the first two rounds. Sure, they need help on defense, but their offense is one step away from being unstoppable, and that one step can be taken in this draft.
As for the Panthers, it’s a sure-fire bet that they will draft Alabama’s Bryce Young at 1. They have struggled in the quarterback position ever since Cam Newton’s fallout, and Bryce Young looks like the perfect guy to build a team around. From his leadership capabilities to his ice-cold pocket presence and decision-making skills, there’s no QB in this draft that I’d rather helm my offense than him.