The Chicago Bears are two video games away from locking down the #2 total choose within the 2023 draft. Everyone is worked up concerning the thought, however not for a similar causes. A number of followers adore it as a result of it provides GM Ryan Poles a golden alternative to land a generational-type expertise to the roster. Outdoors of Justin Fields, the Bears don’t have any of these in the intervening time. Others suppose the alternative. They consider holding #2 provides the proper likelihood to commerce down with a quarterback-desperate workforce in hopes of stockpiling further picks.
The logic seems sound. Chicago has tons of holes on their roster. Poles desires to construct by way of the draft. So it is smart he’d want extra picks to make that potential. Get groups bidding towards one another, and he might find yourself with further 1st and 2nd rounders. That may be a good factor since Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker already seem like strong additions. In fact, shifting down additionally runs the danger of passing on a possible future celebrity.
So this is perhaps a superb time to lift the query. Which is the higher strategy: staying put or shifting down? I compiled knowledge from the earlier decade to assist present a solution.
The Chicago Bears should tread fastidiously with this concept.
2017
Bears get:
49ers get:
- #3 choose (Solomon Thomas)
- third spherical choose
- 4th spherical choose
- Future third spherical choose
San Francisco was the winner of this commerce, but it surely wasn’t a fleecing, as many declare. Trubisky was clearly a disappointment for the Bears. Nevertheless, Thomas was a serious bust for the 49ers too. They turned that third rounder in 2017 into Dante Pettis and D.J. Reed by way of a commerce. The 4th rounder was packaged to maneuver up for linebacker Reuben Foster, one other huge miss. The saving grace was the longer term third spherical choose who turned star linebacker, Fred Warner.
2016
Eagles get:
Browns get:
- #8 choose (Traded)
- third spherical choose
- 4th spherical choose
- Future 1st spherical choose (2017)
- Future 2nd spherical choose (2018)
This commerce turned convoluted due to Cleveland persevering with to make trades after the deal was struck. Finally, they ended up with Corey Coleman, Shon Coleman, Cody Kessler, Ricardo Louis, Derrick Kindred, Jordan Payton, Spencer Drango, Jabrill Peppers, and DeShone Kizer. If individuals are questioning why Browns GM Sashi Brown was ultimately fired, this commerce must be circled. Philadelphia fared a bit higher. Wentz had an MVP-caliber 2017 season and helped the Eagles win the Tremendous Bowl. Nevertheless, he flamed out not too lengthy after that. Donnel Pumphrey turned their different acquisition.
2012
Redskins get:
- #2 choose (Robert Griffin III)
Rams get:
- #6 choose (Traded)
- 2nd spherical choose
- Future 1st spherical choose (2013)
- Future 1st spherical choose (2014)
Griffin III was sensible in his rookie season, making the Professional Bowl. Nevertheless, a catastrophic knee damage derailed him within the playoffs, and he was by no means the identical after that. The Rams had the makings of a dynasty with that package deal. As a substitute, they ended up with this.
Brockers and Jenkins turned good gamers for St. Louis. Nevertheless, Ogletree and Robinson, each 1st rounders, had been important busts. Robinson was the worst of all since he was the #2 choose within the 2014 draft. The Rams handed on Jake Matthews, Khalil Mack, and Mike Evans to take him.
Outcomes of the #2 choose since 2012

Keep in mind, the Chicago Bears received’t take a quarterback in the event that they keep put. When accounting for less than non-QB picks, the spot has constantly produced good gamers. Accidents undid Joeckel. Robinson is the one outright bust. Barkley, Bosa, Younger, and now Hutchinson are or look like studs. When giving an sincere evaluation, the outcomes of buying and selling down haven’t yielded what many individuals assume they did. San Francisco, Cleveland, and St. Louis all didn’t construct championship groups with the hauls of picks they acquired. Conversely, the #2 spot has a roughly 60-70% likelihood of manufacturing a Professional Bowl participant.
Would you continue to take the danger? That’s the conundrum Poles will face subsequent spring.