Bears mentioned as possible trade up team in late first-round for a specific position, here's what it could cost and two prospects to watch
The 2025 NFL Draft is just two weeks away and everyone is still wondering what direction the Chicago Bears will go in with their top draft choices.The Bears' draft starts with the 10th overall pick in the first-round. Ultimately, that selection depends on how the first nine selections go leading up to their pick, but […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is just two weeks away and everyone is still wondering what direction the Chicago Bears will go in with their top draft choices.
The Bears' draft starts with the 10th overall pick in the first-round. Ultimately, that selection depends on how the first nine selections go leading up to their pick, but the majority of experts still believe the Bears are hoping to land RB Ashton Jeanty at 10.
"The Bears love Ashton Jeanty, according to scouts around the league who've observed the team's activity this offseason. So the Boise State running back could be the pick at No. 10 … if he's still around." – ESPN's Matt Miller
If the Bears miss out on landing Jeanty, the team should be expected to pivot and target the trenches, either by landing an offensive tackle in Will Campbell or some more help on the defensive front.
After that, the Bears hold two selections in the second-round (39th and 41st) and one selection in the third-round (72nd) on Day 2. What the Bears do with those other three top picks will be intriguing, but ESPN's Matt Miller offered a fascinating scenerio the Bears could potentially look to pull off by trading back into the first-round and targeting a specific position.
"Chicago has two second-round picks, so it could be aggressive and package them to trade back into the end of Round 1 if a desired pass rusher falls. That rusher could be a defensive tackle or an edge rusher, with the team viewing defensive tackle as a more pressing need." – ESPN's Matt Miller
Late First-Round Trade History
What would such a move look like for the Bears? Well, for starters, general manager Ryan Poles has only traded up in the same draft one time, in 2023 moving up five spots to draft CB Tyrique Stevenson while giving up a second and fifth-rounder.
Moving back into the first is a different animal, due in part because of the fifth-year option given to all first-round picks. There are three recent trade comparisons for what the Bears could try and pull off.
In 2019, the Falcons traded the 45th and 79th overall picks to the Rams for the 31st and 203rd overall picks. Also in that same draft, Washington traded the 46th overall pick and a future second-rounder for the Colts 26th overall pick.
Another example would be in the 2020 Draft when the Chargers traded the 37th and 71st overall picks to the Patriots for the 23rd overall pick.
So, based on those trades, the Bears would likely be giving up the 39th overall pick and the 72nd overall pick to move into the late 20's. I don't see Poles willing to package both second-rounders in a trade, but given his third-round draft history, giving up 72 is possible. And here's who the Bears could look to move up for.
Potential Trade Up Targets at DT
With Miller saying the Bears view defensive tackle as a more pressing need and one worth trading up to fill, two names come to mind. Michigan's Kenneth Grant and Ole Miss' Walter Nolen.
The Bears had a strong presence at the Michigan Pro Day led by head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Grant could be a guy the team is zero'ing in on that likely won't make it out of the first-round.
There's a lot to like about Grant's fit in Chicago. He's the ideal DT type for Allen's scheme and could be a key rotational player behind Grady Jarrett. His ability to win in the run game also adds more intrigue for the Bears defensive front.
The same goes for Nolan, whom Mel Kiper mocked to the Bears with the 39th overall pick in his final mock draft. Nolen is a much more disruptive DT in the passing game in generating sacks.
Both players are considered fringe first-round prospects. If the Bears want to land either guy, a trade up would likely have to occur.
Analyzing all of Ryan Poles’ draft day trades for the Bears since 2022, which ones worked and which ones failed ahead of the 2025 Draft
With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching, the Chicago Bears are still in an interesting position with a lot of possibilities going into Ryan Poles' fourth draft. Heading into this draft, I've looked back at Poles' previous three draft classes to preview what to expect or see what changes need to be made in terms […]
