Tag: bears trade

Bears TE Cole Kmet reveals Matt Eberflus informed him of the Justin Fields trade

Cole Kmet joined CHGO Bears on Monday and revealed Matt Eberflus went out of his way to let him know about the Justin Fields trade.

When the news came out that the Chicago Bears had traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it spread like wildfire. Instant reactions were hitting social media, many of them filled with emotions that the Fields era was officially over in Chicago. Though a trade was expected to happen at some point, the news still rocked the Bears fanbase. When it came to the players, however, it sounds like the Bears made sure to give some of them a heads up.

Bears tight end Cole Kmet joined the CHGO Bears show on Monday afternoon, and the first topic of discussion, naturally, was the Fields trade. Kmet shared his feelings on the move while recapping his St. Patrick’s Day weekend, which included a polar plunge with the Illinois Special Olympics, and revealed he actually found out about the trade from his head coach after the event. “I was planning to then hit the city and go out, but then got a call from “Flus” and the people with the Bears and decided to stay in after the news with Justin,” Kmet said.

Kmet didn’t disclose their conversation but was appreciative of being kept in the loop, even though he wasn’t expecting it. “I don’t expect them to call me for those types of things, but it’s always nice when they do reach out,” Kmet said. “I think that’s a classy move by them to kind of let guys who have been with Justin and are close with Justin to let them know about the decision and why they made the decision. I’m definitely grateful they did that, and it’s not something they have to do by any means.”

It’s unclear who else the Bears reached out to, but other players like DJ Moore, Khalil Herbert, and Teven Jenkins are all possibilities given their connection and friendship with Fields. As far as Kmet goes, he flourished during the last two seasons with Fields. The two established a great connection as Kmet totaled 123 receptions, 1,263 yards, and 13 touchdowns since the start of the 2022 season.

Now, Kmet will look to build a rapport with a new quarterback this coming training camp, but he reiterates that it’s an exciting time for the organization. “We want this thing to work. This thing is ready to take off, here,” Kmet said. “We’ve been adding pieces over the last couple of years, and we’re finally at a point where we can really be a dangerous team, not only in our division but in the rest of the NFC and in the NFL.”

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson has requested a trade

The Bears cornerback could be on the move ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said things would likely be quiet for the team around this year’s trade deadline. Not anymore.

According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has requested a trade ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Johnson, who is a free agent at the end of the season, had been discussing a long-term deal with the Bears as recently as last week. The two sides remain apart on a deal, and the team has given Johnson permission to seek a trade. Johnson is the second notable Bears player to have requested a trade under Ryan Poles since he was hired as general manager, joining Roquan Smith, who was dealt last year at the deadline to the Baltimore Ravens.

The 24-year-old cornerback was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Utah and is one of the final pillars left from the Ryan Pace era. Johnson has proven himself to be one of the better cover corners in the league and is having arguably the best season of his career. He has two interceptions and is allowing a completion percentage of just 47% with no touchdowns.

With Johnson now on the market, he becomes one of the hottest names to watch ahead of the deadline. The Bears have until 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday to make a trade. Otherwise, Johnson will play out the season in Chicago.

Trading Justin Fields this season would be a mistake

Hypothetical trade scenarios involving Justin Fields are popping up on social media. But trading the QB now would be a bad move.

For NFL fans, social media is the perfect place to gather relevant information, share angst about their favorite teams, and discuss hypothetical trade scenarios. That last one becomes a very interesting topic as the season rolls along and the fates of certain teams start to become clearer.

In the case of Chicago Bears fans, one hypothetical trade scenario that has popped up in recent days involves quarterback Justin Fields. Various sports sites and personalities have shared trade ideas surrounding Fields, such as dealing him to the Atlanta Falcons so the Bears can draft another quarterback, or sending Fields to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for QB Kyler Murray.

Trading Fields is the sports topic that creates the most buzz, and one can argue it makes sense. But no matter how bad things get for Chicago, and they’re certainly not great as they’re sitting at 0-4, they still shouldn’t trade the young quarterback during the season.

The Bears are at a low point, coming off their latest loss of the season, a 31-28 crushing defeat to the Denver Broncos. But in that loss was stellar quarterback play from Fields, who had the best game of his young career. Fields went 28-of-25 for 335 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Though the pick came with the game on the line, there was much to like about his performance after a sluggish start to the season. That has fans thinking he could be moved for draft capital prior to the trade deadline, while the Bears set their sights on finding the next great quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s a fun thought, but it’s hardly practical.

There are still four weeks until the NFL trade deadline (Oct. 31st), and the Bears could at that point still be in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall pick. Trading Fields would make general manager Ryan Poles’ intentions clear: to tank for the top pick for the chance to draft someone like USC’s Caleb Williams. But there would still be nine games to play, and nothing is guaranteed in this league.

Even if the Bears (presumably) got worse during that time, who’s to say they wouldn’t luck into a couple of wins? What if another team bottoms out even worse? Next thing you know, Chicago isn’t in position to get the top pick in the draft and they miss out on a chance for their ideal quarterback. They could then be forced to give away their valuable draft assets for that top pick, something that’s not ideal for a team that still needs plenty of other help. Even with the Carolina Panthers’ 2024 first-round pick in hand, a lot can change from late October to early January. Missing out on a top prospect while giving away Fields isn’t worth the gamble.

Not only that, are teams really lining up to deal for a starting quarterback during the middle of the season? The last significant quarterback trade that took place midseason sent Jimmy Garoppolo from the New England Patriots to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. And even then, he was a backup behind Tom Brady before he became the starter in San Francisco. A Fields-level trade during the season doesn’t happen in this league.

Unless the improbable happens and there is some sort of blockbuster deal where a team is willing to trade the farm, any talk of trading Fields should wait until the season has concluded. Give him the rest of the year, see where the team winds up with staff changes and draft position, and make the decision then. The Bears gain very little by dealing him in October and stand to lose too much if the chips don’t fall the way they want. It took a miraculous finish from the Houston Texans in Week 18 to guarantee the Bears the No. 1 overall pick this past year. Who’s to say it will happen again?

Though things look bleak as Chicago prepares to take on the Washington Commanders on a short week, there is still a chance Fields turns a corner and plays to his potential. He could show the Bears that he’s still a dynamic playmaker who can elevate a team that is worth building around. And if he is, but the Bears still wind up with the top pick, then they have options. But picking a lane now is a gamble Poles cannot make. Let’s get to the end of the season and go from there. Until then, you might want to find other players to entertain in trade scenarios.

Report: Bears to acquire OL Dan Feeney from Dolphins

The Bears are trading a sixth-round pick for the veteran offensive lineman.

The Chicago Bears aren’t waiting until roster cutdowns to make moves on their offensive line. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are set to acquire Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Dan Feeney. The trade was first reported by Jason Sarney of Dolphins Wire.

Feeney, a local product out of suburban Orland Park, is a veteran lineman entering his seventh season who can play both guard and center. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and became a regular starter at left guard during his second season. Feeney was a regular starter for the Chargers from 2018-2020 where he allowed a total of 17 sacks while playing left guard and center, according to Pro Football Focus.

Feeney spent the last two years with the New York Jets as a reserve lineman. He started just seven games during his tenure. This past offseason, he signed a one-year, $3.2 million deal with the Dolphins. The Bears will take on that cap hit in the trade, which is in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Feeney comes to the Bears as insurance for the interior of the offensive line. Left guard Teven Jenkins is out for weeks with a lower leg injury, while Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, and Nate Davis have all missed time with various ailments.

The Bears will make more moves as they continue to trim their roster ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT cutdown deadline.

Ryan Poles reveals Bears had another trade offer for No. 9 pick

The Bears moved down one spot to draft Darnell Wright but mulled another offer to move down even further, according to Ryan Poles.

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Chicago Bears have their newest player, selecting Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright. The Bears moved down one spot from No. 9 to No. 10 to pick Wright, swapping picks with the Philadelphia Eagles while gaining a 2024 fourth-round pick. It was a trade that made sense but according to general manager Ryan Poles, that wasn’t the only offer they mulled over.

Poles spoke with reporters following the selection of Wright and revealed the Bears had another offer for the No. 9 pick that would have dropped them lower in the draft order. “There was another team, it didn’t get too heated up and it was in a spot where I had a really good sense that Darnell would be at risk to be gone,” Poles said when asked about any other offers.

The other team in question may have been eyeing Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, whom the Eagles wound up taking at No. 9. Poles didn’t want to risk losing his top target though and still wound up with additional draft capital for the future.

The NFL Draft will resume on Friday evening beginning at 6 pm CT, with the Bears holding picks 53 and 61 in the second round and pick 64 in the third round.

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2023 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-free agency two round projections featuring Packers and Cowboys trade

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-free agency two-round projections featuring Packers and Cowboys trades

If you’ve been following me at all, it’s been evident that I’m an NFL Draft guy. It’s what I love to write about and breaking down. So with that, I’ve decided to come out firing away a two-round mock draft.

1. Carolina Panthers (via Chicago) — C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State 

We already know that the Carolina Panthers have a quarterback at the top of their 2023 NFL Draft board. The question is which quarterback is it going to be for them? You can make the case for any of these signal callers, especially Anthony Richardson after the Scouting Combine. The same can be said for C.J. Stroud and with how it’s trending, I could see them nabbing the Ohio State quarterback as theirs for the future.

2. Houston Texans — Bryce Young, QB, Alabama 

Regardless of the trade, it feels like the Texans are in a great spot. They can still get their potential franchise quarterback and could pair him with an offensive weapon or some protection later in the first round. Young is my top quarterback and for good reason. He can make all the throws on the field, throws from unique arm angles and moves around the pocket like a point guard driving to the basket. This pick just makes too much sense.

3. Arizona Cardinals — Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama 

Before we get crazy and start trading everywhere, let’s have some realism in this mock draft. Not every team trades out of their original draft spots. That’s going to be the case for the Cardinals here. They need to draft good football players and Will Anderson is the best player in the draft. While they lost J.J. Watt to retirement, Anderson can come right in and play immediately. He’s a terrific athlete with great speed-to-power.

4. Indianapolis Colts — Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida 

It’s possible that the Panthers or Texans take Richardson just due to his athletic ability and upside but in this case, Richardson is available for the Colts. Head coach Shane Steichen would be able to incorporate plenty of his RPO offense into the hands of Richardson. This would be a perfect landing spot for Richardson, too. He’d have an established offensive line and weapons around him such as Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr.

5. Seattle Seahawks — Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia

There’s a chance that Carter takes a tumble down the board but currently, it’s hard for me to believe that the Seahawks would. Carter is one of the drafts best players with his power and versatility but he’s got quick hands and feet for a player of his size. If the legal issues clear up, it seems likely that he would land in the lap of Seattle.

6. Detroit Lions — Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

While the Lions could be heavily interested in pass-rushers such as Nolan Smith or Tyree Wilson, I still believe that Gonzalez is a perfect fit for Detroit. He’s got fluid hips and utilizes his length to play through the catch-point consistently when targeted. At the Combine, he showed off his speed and explosiveness by vertical jumping 41.5″ and running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds.

7. Las Vegas Raiders — Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

It’s very possible that the Raiders move up ahead of the Colts to try and get “their guy” but I have them staying put and taking Will Levis. When you talk about tools for a quarterback, Levis will be one of the first players that gets discussed. He’s got all the tools but just needs some refinement within his game from his footwork to his decision making.

8. Atlanta Falcons — Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Wilson drops just a little bit but he’s still one of the top 5 or 6 players in this draft. The Falcons brought back Lorenzo Carter but need more from their pass rushers. They’ll get that here with Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech. He’s got terrific size at 6’6″ and 271 pounds but he’s also a versatile weapon for a defensive front. He can align from a 2i-technique to a tilted 7-technique, if needed. Look for Wilson to use his length, power and high motor to load up the stat sheets.

9. Chicago Bears (via Carolina) — Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

The Bears make an incredible trade and still stayed in the top-10 of this years draft. The best part of their trade was that they added wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Panthers. Now they could look at Quentin Johnston or Jaxon Smith-Njigba but they need more protection for Justin Fields. They’ll look to his former college teammate, Paris Johnson Jr., to help get that done. Johnson is a tremendous athlete with great size (almost has 36″ arms) and he’s versatile. At Ohio State, he started at right guard, right tackle and left tackle. Johnson Jr., becomes a plug and play type player for the Bears offensive line.

10. Philadelphia Eagles — Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

I strongly considered a defensive back in this spot but I’ve been preaching the Eagles selecting Bijan Robinson out of Texas for quite some time. We’ll stay on that train. It doesn’t look like the Eagles are going to bring back Miles Sanders so they’ll replace him with the best running back in the draft. Robinson has great change of direction ability but he also runs through contact while showcasing burst and speed when hitting the hole. The pairing of Jalen Hurts with Bijan Robinson, Devonta Smith, A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert is a defensive coordinators nightmare.

11. Tennessee Titans — Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

The Titans have moved on from offensive tackle Taylor Lewan so they’ll need to look at how to replace him. They’ll do so by taking the most consistent player in the draft with Peter Skoronski. He’s a technically sound offensive tackle that will provide a team starting tackle or guard ability. I think he can play tackle at the next level and he’s shown it over the course of his career in the Big Ten. He moves well, plays light on his feet and can anchor against the best of them.

12. Houston Texans — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Even though the Texans just signed Robert Woods, I think it would be wise for them to add another weapon to their offense. JSN is one of the best route runners in the draft and while he might not have the desired straight-line speed, he’s got plenty of wiggle and the short area quickness needed to beat defenders.

13. New York Jets — Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

We’ll see if the Jets still have this pick after a potential trade for Aaron Rodgers. If they do, I could see them drafting to fit his needs. Whether that’s a wide receiver, tight end or an offensive lineman. Getting Rodgers protection should be key and by adding Broderick Jones they do that. Jones is an athletic freak that bulldozes defenders while getting out in space. He’s got good length and looks destined to play either tackle spot for an NFL team.

14. New England Patriots — Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

I can’t help but think that this could be the year that the Patriots finally draft a first round wide receiver. If I had to pick, I’d think it would be Zay Flowers from Boston College. In this scenario, I stay with the Patriots adding defense. They do so by adding one of my favorite players in the class with Myles Murphy from Clemson. Murphy has a great blend of power and speed but his motor really stands out. I could see Murphy having a long time career for New England and when he look back at it down the road, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was one of the best players from this class.

15. Seattle Seahawks (Mock Trade with Green Bay) — Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Surprise! We’ve got a mock trade and it’s one that makes plenty of sense. The Packers see offensive lineman and pass-rushers dropping like flies so they backpedal out of their spot and get some additional day three draft capital. The Seahawks get aggressive and go up and get a guy that makes a ton of sense for them. Banks is a physical corner with a fluid lower half and the speed to run in-stride with receivers.

Seahawks receive: 2023 First Round Pick (15th overall) and 2023 Fourth Round Pick (116th overall)
Packers receive: 2023 First Round Pick (20th overall), 2023 Third Round Pick (83rd overall) and 2024 Fourth Round Pick

16. Washington Commanders — Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Age and health is starting become a concern for the Commanders with tight end Logan Thomas so they could look to move him this off-season to clear up some cap space. If they go that route, it wouldn’t be surprising if they take the best tight end in the draft in Michael Mayer. While, he didn’t blow-up the Scouting Combine, Mayer did test well and has very consistent tape. He’s a better route runner than given credit for and he catches the ball consistently away from his frame. If the Commanders are truly committed to Sam Howell at quarterback, look for Mayer to become his best friend.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Like father, like son. We all want that feel good story and there would be nothing better than for Joey Porter Jr., to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter Jr., has great length and athleticism for the cornerback position. He’ll need to clean-up on some of his “grabbiness” on receivers downfield but his physicality through the catch-point allowed him to have 15 pass deflections over the last two seasons.

18. Dallas Cowboys (Mock Trade with Detroit) — Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

There’s been rumors that the Cowboys want to be aggressive and make a splash for their offense. They might look to do that during free agency with how they’re clearing up cap space but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a move and grab a receiver in the first round. Johnston put his explosiveness on display at the Combine with a 40.5″ vertical and a 11’2″ broad jump. That matches what we see on tape as Johnston has plenty of ability to run after the catch. Pairing him with Lamb would be great for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense.

Cowboys receive: 2023 First Round Pick (18th overall)
Lions receive: 2023 First Round Pick (26th overall) and 2023 Second Round Pick (58th overall)

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Are the Bucs really going to leave their offense in the hands of quarterback Kyle Trask? We’ll see if they add a veteran this week during free agency but regardless, they’ve got to get some help on their offensive line. After they announced they’re letting left tackle Donovan Smith go, it might be more evident than ever. While they’ll move Tristan Wirfs from the right side to the left side, they can take one of the best right tackles in this years draft and start him immediately. Wright has a devastating snatch-trap technique that he uses to bury defenders into the dirt and his foot speed is underrated for a player of his size.

20. Green Bay Packers (Mock Trade with Seattle) — Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

It would be something if the Packers move Rodgers and then finally add an offensive lineman or pass-catcher. That said, I think they look to the defensive side of the football. The Packers are set to lose Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed to free agency and while they could bring them both back, they’ll view their first round pick as a way to replace them. Van Ness is a versatile chess piece for a defensive front as he played standing up and played on the interior aligned in a 2i-technique for the Hawkeyes. He’s an impressive athlete that loves to translate speed-to-power.

Seahawks receive: 2023 First Round Pick (15th overall) and 2023 Fourth Round Pick (116th overall)
Packers receive: 2023 First Round Pick (20th overall), 2023 Third Round Pick (83rd overall) and 2024 Fourth Round Pick

 

** Miami Dolphins: Pick is forfeited **

 

21. Los Angeles Chargers — Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The only reason for Witherspoon falling down the draft board is that he didn’t test at the Scouting Combine due to a hamstring injury and then he didn’t participate at the Illinois Pro Day. In a few weeks, he’ll get his own workout to showcase his talent to teams but he did check into the Combine at 5’11” and 181 pounds. When you look at the Chargers roster, there’s not a glaring need for a cornerback but when you dive deeper, you’ll realize that cornerback Michael Davis is set to become a free agent after this season and J.C. Jackson carries a massive cap hit. By adding Witherspoon, they get a top-end talent as insurance to their defensive secondary.

22. Baltimore Ravens — Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Do we really think the Ravens are going to add a pass-catcher in the draft? It’s possible but I think there’s enough free agent pass-catchers that they’ll target and that’ll allow them to focus on the defensive side of the football. Meanwhile, we’ll see what happens with Lamar Jackson. That said, Nolan Smith falls to their lap despite blowing the roof off the Combine with his 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds. Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston are set to hit the free agent market so they’ll look to get younger off the edge. Smith is an explosive pass-rusher that has a great motor and chooses violence on the football field.

23. Minnesota Vikings — Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

While I considered a defensive player here for the Vikings, we’ll have them select a pass-catcher. In wake of the Vikings releasing Adam Thielen, they’ll need to get a compliment to Justin Jefferson. By adding Flowers, they get an explosive receiver that can push vertically down the field but he’s also dynamic after the catch. Before the Combine, Flowers added 13 pounds of muscle to his frame and it didn’t slow him down as he was still able to a 40-yard dash time of 4.42 seconds. Look for Flowers to come in and play inside or outside.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars — Brian Branch, SAF, Alabama

I struggle with Brian Branch because he truly is one of the 10 or 12 best players in this draft. While he didn’t test out of this world at the Combine, he does have some of the most consistent tape of any defensive back in the class, specifically for the safety position. Branch can play as a buzz defender or in the slot and he’s super effective when blitzing.

25. New York Giants — Jordan Addison, WR, USC

While Jordan Addison is my top ranked wide receiver for the 2023 NFL Draft, he did only check into the Combine at 173 pounds. He was also expected to run a much faster 40-yard dash time but he was clocked in at 4.49 seconds and his 34″ in the vertical jump was a bit underwhelming. But on tape, Addison is fluid in the short and intermediate areas of the field and terrorize defenders in the red-zone with whip and slant routes. The Giants desperately need to surround quarterback Daniel Jones with weapons so this pick makes sense.

26. Detroit Lions (Mock Trade with Dallas) — Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh

It shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Lions move around on the opening night of the draft. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell could get aggressive or stock pile a few picks and still get a few good players out of the deal. That’s what they’ll try to do here by obtaining an additional 2nd round pick and they’ll swing big for Calijah Kancey out of Pittsburgh. Kancey ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at the Combine and his speed shows on tape. He’s overly aggressive and explosive despite only having 30 5/8″ arms while standing 6’1″ and 281 pounds. Kancey has an NFL ready pass-rush plan despite being undersized. He’d fit along nicely with Alim McNeil and Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit.

Cowboys receive: 2023 First Round Pick (18th overall)
Lions receive: 2023 First Round Pick (26th overall) and 2023 Second Round Pick (58th overall)

27. Houston Texans (Mock Trade with Buffalo) — Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

Following the plan set by the New York Jets last year, the Houston Texans move back into the first round and end up with 3 picks in the first round. One of the most underrated players in this years draft is Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison. He’s got quick feet, great length and is aggressive as can be in the run game. The Texans move up and look to make Harrison a starting tackle for their new look offense.

Bills receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (33rd overall), 2023 Fourth Round Pick (104th overall) and 2024 Third Round Pick
Texans receive: 2023 First Round Pick (27th overall)

28. Cincinnati Bengals — Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

While the Bengals found success with Hayden Hurst at tight end, he’s set to become a free agent and I could see the Bengals moving on. One of the most sure-handed pass-catchers in the draft is Dalton Kincaid. Throughout his career at Utah, he only has one drop and he’s a perfect fit for the modern day tight end in the NFL. He can run vertically up the field while consistently catching the ball away from his frame but he’s also able to play in-line or out of the slot.

29. New Orleans Saints (via San Francisco) — Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

It wouldn’t be shocking if Bresee is already off the board but he ends up being available. Best suited to play as a 3-technique at the next level, Bresee isn’t overly athletic but he’s got the size and overall technique to hold his own against offensive lineman in the NFL. One player he reminds me of at times is former Florida defensive lineman Taven Bryan. While he’s not as explosive as him, they both are comparable in size. Oddly enough, Bryan went 29th overall in 2018 and Bresee does the same here.

30. Philadelphia Eagles — Adetomiwa Adebawore, IDL, Northwestern

Over the last few years, Howie Roseman and the Eagles have had a thing for grabbing offensive lineman and defensive lineman. We’ll follow that trend by having them select one of the most impressive performances for any player in Combine history. Adetomiwa Adebawore, a.k.a, double A, tested out of this world. He checked into Indianapolis at 6’2″ and 282 pounds while running the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, posting 27 reps in the bench press and having a 37.5″ vertical jump. Double A was impressive at the Senior Bowl due to his explosiveness and versatility. Look for him to play anywhere and everywhere if drafted by the Eagles.

31. Kansas City Chiefs — Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

There’s a chance that the Chiefs lose both of their starting offensive tackles in free agency. Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie are both set to hit the market and if the Chiefs lose them, there’s no bigger need than protecting Patrick Mahomes. By selecting Matthew Bergeron, they’ll look to do that. Bergeron is a lot more athletic than expected for a player that’s listed at 6’5″ and 318 pounds. He gave up five sacks this past year for Syracuse but there’s a lot to work within his game and it wouldn’t be surprising if a team views him as a borderline first round pick. He can anchor and steer defenders clear while opening up rushing lanes.

 

Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Chicago) — Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

 

33. Buffalo Bills (Mock Trade with Houston) — Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

 

34. Arizona Cardinals — O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida

 

35. Indianapolis Colts — Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State

 

36. Los Angeles Rams — Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami (FL)

 

37. Seattle Seahawks — John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota

 

38. Cleveland Browns (Mock Trade with Las Vegas) — Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

Browns receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (38th overall)
Raiders receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (42nd overall) and 2023 Fourth Round Pick (111th overall)

39. Carolina Panthers — Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

 

40. New Orleans Saints — Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

 

41. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mock Trade with Tennessee) — Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Bucs receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (41st overall)
Titans receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (50th overall), 2023 Fifth Round Pick (154th overall), 2023 Sixth Round Pick (180th overall) and 2024 Fourth Round Pick

42. Las Vegas Raiders (Mock Trade with Cleveland) — Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

 

43. New York Jets — Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State

 

44. Atlanta Falcons — Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

 

45. Green Bay Packers — Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

 

46. New England Patriots — Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

 

47. Washington Commanders — Joe Tippmann, IOL, Wisconsin

 

48. Detroit Lions — Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State

The Lions passed on an edge rusher in the first round but they don’t do that here by selecting Felix Anudike-Uzomah. One of my favorite players in this draft class, Anudike-Uzomah is an explosive pass-rusher with a great motor and NFL-ready hands. Putting him in the mix of Hutchinson, Houston and Paschal could lead plenty of sack production for the next several years in Detroit.

49. Los Angeles Chargers (Mock Trade with Pittsburgh) — Mazi Smith, IDL, Michigan

Chargers receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (49th overall)
Steelers receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (53rd overall) and 2023 Fourth Overall Pick (124th overall)

50. Tennessee Titans — B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
51. Seattle Seahawks — Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

 

52. Miami Dolphins — Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State

 

53. Pittsburgh Steelers (Mock Trade with Los Angeles Chargers) — Sydney Brown, SAF, Illinois

Chargers receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (49th overall)
Steelers receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (53rd overall) and 2023 Fourth Overall Pick (124th overall)

54. Chicago Bears — Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC

 

55. Detroit Lions — Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

It’s not every day that you see a 6’5″ and 250 pound linebacker move as efficient and fluid as Jack Campbell. There’s a chance he could be ranked as the top linebacker for teams. He can drop into coverage while also having a physical presence in the run game with his ability to scrape over the top or stack and shed blocks to meet running backs in the hole. Pairing Campbell with Malcolm Rodriguez feels like a match-made in heaven.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars — Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

 

57. New York Giants — Steve Avila, IOL, TCU

 

58. Kansas City Chiefs (Mock Trade with Detroit) — Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston

Chiefs receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (58th overall)
Lions receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (63rd overall), 2023 Fourth Round Pick (124th overall) and 2023 Sixth Round Pick (199th overall)

59. Buffalo Bills — Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

 

60. Cincinnati Bengals — Cody Mauch, IOL, North Dakota State

 

61. Chicago Bears — Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

 

62. Philadelphia Eagles — Parker Washington, WR, Penn State

 

63. Detroit Lions (Mock Trade with Kansas City) — Cedric Tillman Jr., WR, Tennessee

By making a move with Dallas in the first round, the Lions have an additional second round pick. They get fancy here and move down with the Chiefs to cap off the second round with a receiver. Personally, I prefer Tillman over his teammate Jalin Hyatt so it wouldn’t surprise me if Tillman is off the board much sooner than I have him mocked here. That said, he’s available and he’s a perfect fit for the Lions potential need for an ‘X’ receiver. Standing at 6’3″ and 213 pounds, Tillman is physical and consistent with 50/50 balls.

Chiefs receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (58th overall)
Lions receive: 2023 Second Round Pick (63rd overall), 2023 Fourth Round Pick (124th overall) and 2023 Sixth Round Pick (199th overall)

Bears fans are celebrating blockbuster trade for No. 1 pick with Panthers

Bears fans everywhere can’t contain their excitement after the blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick with the Panthers.

The Chicago Bears sent shockwaves through the NFL on Friday, agreeing to a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers centered around the No. 1 overall pick, first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Bears dealt the top pick to Carolina in exchange for their No. 9 and No. 61, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and wide receiver D.J. Moore, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles has been publicly saying the pick was for sale and believed he could have a deal done by the start of free agency. He accomplished that and set the Bears up with multiple premium picks and a top receiver for years to come.

When the news of the deal broke, it sent Bears fans everywhere into a state of euphoria. All across social media, praise is being heaped on Poles for playing the situation as perfectly as he could. Here are just some of the Twitter reactions from Bears and NFL fans.

Updated look at Bears’ 2023 draft picks after Chase Claypool trade

The Bears now have eight draft picks in the 2023 NFL draft after the Chase Claypool trade. Here’s a look at Chicago’s picks by round:

The Chicago Bears are trading for Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, giving quarterback Justin Fields a playmaker on offense.

The Bears sent a 2023 second-round pick to the Steelers for Claypool, as general manager Ryan Poles is investing draft capital in Fields. Numerous reports have indicated that second-round pick is Chicago’s, not the one they acquired from the Baltimore Ravens for linebacker Roquan Smith.

Receiver was a huge need for this roster, and the 2023 free agent class doesn’t sport any big names. So while the price was certainly high, it’s hard to be mad at the move considering Poles invested in a premium position to help his young quarterback.

Chicago now has eight draft selections in the 2023 NFL draft, including five in the first four rounds.

Here’s an updated look at the Bears’ 2023 draft picks (exact picks TBD):

  • First-round pick
  • Second-round pick (from Ravens)
  • Third-round pick
  • Fourth-round pick
  • Fourth-round pick (from Eagles)
  • Fifth-round pick
  • Fifth-round pick (from Ravens)
  • Seventh-round pick

We know Poles is someone who wants to rebuild this roster through the draft, and he’s already done that to the tune of three additional draft picks over the last week. But he’s also committed to using draft capital to help Fields, which is why the Claypool move makes sense. And Poles will certainly look to continue to address receiver during the offseason.

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Report: Bears have inquired about Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne’s availability

The Bears might not be done in the trade market ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, and they’ve shown interest in Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne.

The Chicago Bears have traded linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive end Robert Quinn over the last week. And, according to one report, GM Ryan Poles might not be done with trade activity ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT deadline.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean Poles is only shopping players.

According to Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed, the Bears have inquired about the availability of Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, who’s been rumored to be on the trade block.

The Chicago Bears are among the teams who have called New England about Bourne’s availability in a trade, according to a source. Chicago needs wide receiver help but is otherwise selling off assets such as edge defender Robert Quinn and linebacker Roquan Smith in trades. It would help to get a player like Bourne in the building now to give him half of a season and the offseason to work with quarterback Justin Fields. One source did cast doubt that the Patriots ultimately would be willing to part ways with Bourne.”

The Bears have some gaping holes on offense, including at receiver. Darnell Mooney has been the only reliable option for quarterback Justin Fields. There have been too many dropped balls this season, which has contributed to the struggles in the passing game.

Last season, Bourne had 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns with the Patriots. But his usage took a dip this season. Although, he’s seen a steady uptick in snap counts over the last few weeks.

As Kyed noted, it’s unknown whether New England would part ways with Bourne. But if Chicago did acquire him, it would give Fields a playmaker at receiver.

If this were to pass, it wouldn’t be the first trade between the Bears and Patriots this year. Chicago recently traded a 2024 seventh-round pick for former New England wideout N’Keal Harry this offseason.

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Grading the Bears’ trade of LB Roquan Smith to the Ravens

It will take years to fully evaluate the Roquan Smith trade to the Ravens, but here is our initial grade of the move.

The Chicago Bears were giving out treats in the form of star players on Halloween as they traded linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens for a second and fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as veteran linebacker A.J. Klein. The trade was general manager Ryan Poles’ latest and arguably most notable attempt yet at rebuilding the roster for the future. It’s the second deal the Bears have made in a week after trading defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles last Wednesday in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

Entering the 2022 season, Smith was viewed as the unequivocal leader of the defensive unit after other veterans such as Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks moved on to other teams. But Smith and Poles got off to a rocky start due to a standoff with a contract extension. Smith was entering the final year of his rookie contract and wanted to be paid top dollar, but he and Poles couldn’t agree on a figure and Smith held out of most of training camp before returning just before the start of the regular season.

Now, Smith heads to Baltimore to help the Ravens keep the AFC North division lead and will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Bears, meanwhile, add two more draft picks to their arsenal to help them rebuild for the 2023 season and beyond. Smith finishes his Bears season with a league-leading 83 tackles, four for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

The complete evaluation of this trade won’t be complete for a few years, but here is our initial grade of the move as the Bears continue to look towards the future.