A Chicago Bears trade deadline move may sound a bit outlandish at this point. What do they have left to give up at this point? They already surrendered a bounty of draft picks to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Khalil Mack. They’re down both their 1st and 2nd round choices in 2019. The only pick of reasonable value left is their 3rd rounder.
Still, the fact is the Bears made the moves they did would seem to signal they’re not overly high on the 2019 draft class to begin with. In fact, rumors have abounded the college class could be one of the weaker ones in recent memory. Not much star power or depth at several positions. So maybe GM Ryan Pace can try to secure more proven talent elsewhere.
There’s a number of potential trade moves the Bears can make that would benefit them both in the short and long-term. It’s a question of whether they can find a price that’s not too high.
3rd round pick and TE Dion Sims for CB Patrick Peterson
The Bears defense is talented in a number of areas but it’s been felt for some time they’re lacking a true frontline stud in the secondary. Especially at cornerback. Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Bryce Callahan are a decent trio but none could be called a blue chip player. That’s what Patrick Peterson is. He’s a true shutdown corner.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Collectively the Bears corners have allowed five touchdowns this season with a passer rating of 85.64. Peterson has not allowed a TD yet this season and quarterbacks have a rating of just 39.9 when targeting him. The Bears don’t have a lot of money or high draft choices, but Peterson is 28-years old so his price can only go so high.
4th round pick for CB Gareon Conley
This move would be a bit bigger risk but also cost less with a potential higher long-term upside. Gareon Conley is 23-years old and a former 1st round pick of the Oakland Raiders. He struggled as a rookie and then witness the arrival of head coach Jon Gruden who has systematically begun shipping out every notable high draft choices the team has made.
Khalil Mack was first. Now Amari Cooper has followed. How long before others join the exodus? Rumors say the Raiders aren’t keen on dealing Conley but they said similar things about Mack and Cooper too. Quarterbacks have just a 62.9 passer rating when targeting the young corner this year and he’d be a perfect fit in the Vic Fangio defense.
5th round pick for S Karl Joseph
The story of Karl Joseph is such a frustrating one. The young safety came out of West Virginia with tons of promise. People compared him to Earl Thomas and Bob Sanders thanks to his mix of speed, ball skills, and physicality. Yet instead of living up to those expectations, the Raiders have sabotaged him. How so?
It’s hard to have success in the NFL when you have three different defensive coordinators in three years. Joseph started out with Ken Norton, who got fired and replaced by John Pagano. Now Paul Guenther is in charge. Needless to say, Joseph is probably tired of all the turnover and could use a fresh start elsewhere. He’s worth the calculated risk.
3rd round pick and WR Kevin White for EDGE Dante Fowler
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a ton of salary cap issues on the horizon. It’s for this reason that most don’t expect them to hang on to young edge rusher Dante Fowler. With the team starting to fall apart, it’s possible they may cut their losses early and see if they can get something for him before the deadline.
This is absolutely a move Chicago should make. Leonard Floyd has proven a disappointment at edge rush both due to injuries and poor production. Fowler had eight sacks last year and though he only has two this season he has 15 pressures despite just 102 pass rush chances (Floyd has zero in 134). Jacksonville will be intrigued by the 3rd round pick but also need wide receiver help badly. Hence the inclusion of Kevin White.
6th round pick for OT Cedric Ogbuehi
There’s a strong possibility that Bobby Massie will be gone in 2019 with his contract expiring. That means the Bears need to start thinking about possible replacements. Cedric Ogbuehi was always an intriguing name since the day he was drafted, known for his impressive mix of size and athleticism. Yet for one reason or another, he’s disappointed in Cincinnati.
That’s why he’s stuck on the bench this year, failing to beat out veteran Bobby Hart for the right tackle job after losing the left tackle spot to Cordy Glenn. It would seem he’s a bust but then again the Bengals aren’t exactly aces at developing offensive line talent. Putting Ogbuehi under the tutelage of Harry Hiestand may yet revive his career.
