The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Bears traded the top pick to the Carolina Panthers for star wide receiver D.J. Moore, the No. 9 overall pick last year, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick. That 2024 first-round pick became the No. 1 overall pick when the Panthers were terrible.
If the Bears are going to move the No. 1 pick again this year, it will need to be a historic haul, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
“It would take a historic haul, something crazy for the Bears to move off of the No. 1 overall selection,” Rapoport said. “That bit of knowledge contains wide-ranging ramifications. First of all, that is an indication, absent some sort of wild draft compensation for someone trying to move up for Caleb Williams, that is a sign they will likely take a quarterback No. 1.”
Williams, the USC star and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is the presumed No. 1 overall pick. Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Jayden Daniels (LSU) will likely be among the top three picks, too.
The Washington Commanders (No. 2) and the New England Patriots (No. 3) are also looking for a franchise quarterback.
Rapoport indicates many believe the Bears will move on from incumbent quarterback Justin Fields, who should fetch Chicago at least a second-round pick, perhaps more.
From Super Bowl Live: It would take a historical haul to move the #Bears off No. 1… while the #Seahawks hired OC Ryan Grubb. pic.twitter.com/OGZQhXybIJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2024
The Commanders are unlikely to trade significant compensation under new general manager Adam Peters to move up one spot. However, nothing can be ruled out because, as we know, draft season is “lying season.”