Will the Bears trade down? There are no picks more valuable in a draft than a top five selection. In the right circumstances they can fetch multiple high selections. It’s for that reason alone that many fans are clamoring for Pace and the front office to field calls about moving down from the third pick. There are plenty of roster holes left to fill. Holes that extra 2nd and 3rd rounders might well fix.
It sounds so enticing, but does it work? The only way to answer that is to see if the Bears have ever done it before and whether it proved fruitful. As it turns out they have done it before. The last time was back in 2003. Coming off a 4-12 season they held the #4 pick. GM Jerry Angelo knew he could put his roster in a strong position if he hit on a enough picks. So in order to maximize his chances, he decided to acquire more. Here is how the process played out.
– Traded #4 pick to New York Jets for #13, #22 and 4th round picks
– Traded #13 pick to NE Patriots for #14 pick and 6th rounder
Selected Penn State DE Michael Haynes at #14
One of those shooting stars during a college season. Michael Haynes was dominant for Penn State in 2002, winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Angelo felt the team needed a pass rusher and so took him at #14, hoping to make him another key part of a developing front seven. It didn’t work out as planned. Haynes played just three seasons in Chicago, a total of 43 games and managed just 5.5 sacks.
Selected Florida QB Rex Grossman at #22 (via NYJ)
Angelo had waited three years to select his quarterback of the future and finally got him in Rex Grossman. The young man from Indiana had enjoyed a productive career at Florida, showcasing a strong arm and leadership qualities. At times he looked like a potential star in Chicago, but was routinely hampered by injuries. It also quickly became clear he had a gunslinger mentality, often leading to painful turnovers. His faults eventually cost the Bears a shot at winning the Super Bowl.
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All told he went 21-14 as a starter, throwing for 6, 947 yards, 37 TDs, and 39 interceptions. (continue to next page from top)
