Latest Pro Football Focus mock draft has Chicago Bears making a huge trade
The Chicago Bears don't have a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, thanks to their trade last year to move up in the first round for quarterback Justin Fields. But that doesn't mean the Bears won't end up making a pick in the first round. Chicago general manager Ryan Poles could always decide there's […]
The Chicago Bears don't have a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, thanks to their trade last year to move up in the first round for quarterback Justin Fields.
But that doesn't mean the Bears won't end up making a pick in the first round. Chicago general manager Ryan Poles could always decide there's a player in the first round that the Bears need on their roster.
In fact, that's exactly what Pro Football Focus has happening in their latest mock draft.
PFF is predicting that the Bears will trade up to the No. 16 pick and draft Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave.
The potential of reuniting Fields and Olave could tempt Ryan Poles into trading back into the first round. For the Eagles, it makes sense to stock up on draft capital for next year, as there’s a possibility they could be in the quarterback market.
Fields and Olave formed one of the country's best QB-WR partnerships in 2019 and 2020, generating the third-highest passer rating in the FBS over those two seasons combined (142.9). Olave ranked fourth nationally in deep receiving touchdowns over that span, too.
Trading up in this year's draft would seemingly go against Poles' strategy of creating future financial flexibility and loading up on draft capital.
But this is a scenario where trading up would make a lot of sense.
The Bears need to give Fields some more weapons. And drafting Olave — a player who Fields is already familiar with from their time at Ohio State– could give Chicago a Joe Burrow/Ja'Marr Chase-like connection.
Those connections are hard to find. And reuniting Fields and Olave could unlock something special in the Bears' offense.
My gut says Chicago will stand pat in the second round and take the best wide receiver available. But I wouldn't be totally shocked if the Bears decide to trade up to get Olave.
Poles is new to the general manager gig, so we don't know his tendencies yet. However, we'll learn a lot about who Poles is as a general manager in the next weeks.
Featured image via Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
