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3 Possible Teams to Call If Bears Trade 9th Overall Pick in NFL Draft

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated 4/12/24

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. With Caleb Williams assumed to be the next Chicago Bears starting quarterback and top pick in the annual event, the question marks turn to the 9th overall selection. The Bears, with two top-10 picks, have tons of options to upgrade their roster.

According to a report from Courtney Cronin, the Bears have divided their front office and coaching staff into 'pods' to determine what to do with the pick. The reported split is for each position of need, with the pods focused on wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line.

However, a rival NFL executive doesn't think the Bears actually make a selection with the pick. Rather, the speculation suggests that the Bears will move the pick. "I'd be shocked if they make that pick at nine," an NFC area scout told Cronin. "[Bears GM Ryan] Poles loves to move around and build through the draft, and that roster still needs help in some spots."

It is fair speculation, as Ryan Poles has executed trades in his first two drafts as GM. With the ability to upgrade the offensive line, the need for another pass rushing defensive end, and the possibility of adding another weapon for Caleb Williams all on Poles' mind, adding more picks to fill more holes is probably the right move.

With that in mind, who will the Bears trade with? Here are three possible teams, and one honorable mention, that the Bears should call if looking to make a trade.

Call #1: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are such an intriguing team in this year's NFL Draft. They currently hold the 17th overall selection in the first round, and have a solid amount of draft capital. If the Bears are looking to move back, the 17th pick allows them to still get a solid player in the Building The Board Top 100, and they add additional capital for this year's draft, as well as 2025.

If one of the three big receivers are on the board, I can't imagine the Bears move the pick. That said, if they'd rather take the additional capital, Jacksonville might be willing to pay a premium for for the pick if one of either Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze are on the board. However, in this scenario we will assume that isn't the case.

The Jaguars could move up and bolster their defensive line, with the likes of Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Byron Murphy all likely on the board. Or, the Jags could get their first swing at the DB of their choice, since the run isn't expected to occur until the teens, per multiple NFL Draft experts.

The trade, per our PFF example, is as follows:

CHI receives: 17, 48, 114, 116, 2025 4th

JAC receives: 9

The Bears might have to throw in a late-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to get a deal done, but the Bears could ultimately execute a full restock with one deal. The Bears would add a second-round pick, and a pair of fourth-round selections this year, while also adding another pick in 2025. That's a lot of draft capital to move back about eight spots.

Call #2: Denver Broncos

Cap hell is one way to define the Denver Broncos. After releasing Russell Wilson, the Broncos ate a staggering $85 million in dead cap, which post-June 1 becomes a $53 million cap hit for a player not even wearing their colors. With their backs against the wall, getting the QB position right is a big need.

Assuming the Minnesota Vikings don't jump ahead of the Bears at 9 with their two first-round picks, QB JJ McCarthy could easily be a target for Denver. If he is still on the board at 9, this trade value is likely not enough. There is certainly a world where the Bears could get two first-round picks, one this season and one next season, for the ninth selection.

For sake of the exercise, per our PFF example, here is a trade that would be accepted by Denver:

CHI receives: 12, 76, 121, 136, 2025 4th

DEN receives: 9

Again, desperation could drive the price up here, but Denver needs a QB as Jarett Stidham is unlikely the long-term answer.

Honorable Mention: Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are a team to keep an eye on. As outlined previously by Pat Boadway at On Tap Sports Net, the Bills need receiving help after trading Stephon Diggs and watching Gabe Davis walk in free agency. If one of the top receivers is on the board at the ninth pick, how desperate would a team like Buffalo get?

Read more on the possibility with the Bills here.

Call #3: Philadelphia Eagles

Not the Philadelphia Eagles again, right? Well, the Eagles are one of the few teams that could enjoy having their pick of the litter in the top 10 once again. According to PFF, they also might be able to give the Bears the most in the top 60 of any other team.

The proposed deal, once again with PFF, that the Eagles would accept based on the example:

CHI receives: 22, 50, 53

PHI receives: 9

This deal might be exactly what Ryan Poles wants. Three players in the top 55 could fill holes at every position of need with high-quality talent. Again, this is only if the Eagles really love a player at the top of the draft. However, if this trade was presented, its a hard one to pass up.

What's On Tap Next?

Now, we wait. The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and although the top pick in the draft is all but certain, the ninth pick is a complete toss up. The chaos between picks two and eight will help determine what the Bears do, but don't be surprised if they move back from the ninth pick and try to add more selections to beef up the roster.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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