Opinions about what the Bears should do with the #8 overall pick in the draft range from taking Quenton Nelson, to taking Harold Landry to trading down if a QB-needy team comes calling.
NFL Draft Experts are having way too much fun this time of year trying to figure out just what a team might do in 20 days from now. Some experts are throwing “stuff” at a wall and hoping it sticks, while others are making educated guesses based on what they’re hearing from their connections around the league.
Chad Reuter, a writer for NFL.com, took a stab at a 5-round mock draft recently that included trades. He had three quarterbacks going with the first three picks, but then put the Bears in a shocking situation with that #8 pick.
.@chad_reuter's Five-Round Mock @NFLDraft 2.0
9. BUF (VIA TRADE): @Lj_era8
41. OAK: @Flyguy2stackz
85. SEA: @Shaquemgriffin
FULL: https://t.co/jDoxddY1PJ (by @verizon) pic.twitter.com/Auh4AsH85U— NFL (@NFL) April 5, 2018
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He has Mickey Loomis, Pace’s old mentor/boss, giving Ryan a call and moving up from #27 overall to #8. This move was to select Baker Mayfield to be the heir apparent to Drew Brees.
Mayfield is a polarizing prospect because of some of his antics off the field, and sometimes on the field, but mostly because of his size. Most experts believe that Mayfield does not have the height to play the quarterback position, as he only stands at 6’1″. The fit in New Orleans is obvious though, as Drew Brees stands at a similar height and has had unquestionable success in Sean Payton’s offense.
The move makes sense for the Saints, as Drew Brees is close to retirement, and they need to think about the future. But does this move make sense for the Bears?
In the mock draft, both of the Bears’ “dream” targets are off the board. Bradley Chubb went to the Broncos at #5 and Quenton Nelson went to the Colts at #6. With both of Pace’s assumed top choices gone when he’s on the clock, he has the choice of either taking someone like Tremaine Edmunds or trading down and acquiring picks. Reuter chose to see what the scenario of trading down looked like.
The Chiefs traded from No. 27 to No. 10 to get Patrick Mahomes last year, giving up a 2017 third-round pick and a 2018 first-rounder. Mayfield’s talents and Drew Brees‘ ability to mentor him could establish a great situation for the team and player.
While Reuter points out what the Chiefs gave up last year to move up, it’s unclear exactly what the Bears receive in this trade down scenario. Reuter does give the Bears a 3rd-round pick this year, which they currently do not have because of the Trubisky trade, but does not specify beyond that.
Is a 1st round pick swap, a 3rd-round this year and a 1st next year worth it to move out of the Top 10 all the way down to 27? The argument would be that the Saints are a good team and are gonna most likely be in the 20’s next year for that 1st rounder…
If you were Ryan Pace, would you make this trade? If not, what would it take to move down to 27?
