NEWSLETTER
‘Tis the season for dot-connecting.
And if you are a Chicago Bears fan, you might want to keep tabs on what is happening between your favorite team’s current first and ninth picks.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter names the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers as teams in the top 10 who could be open to cutting a deal with teams looking to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft. And it has me thinking about the seemingly endless trade offers that could be coming their way from any number of different teams:
All things considered, it is a perfect storm for both of those teams.
Given that the Cardinals and Chargers have Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert, respectively, it makes sense that those two teams could be open to trade discussions with a team wanting to move up in the draft. And with the forecast strongly suggesting that four quarterbacks will go in the first five picks, I imagine Arizona and Los Angeles will be inundated with trade package offers.
Maybe the Chicago Bears can slide into trade discussions on the first night of the NFL Draft
Before you shred me for thinking about the Bears trading up into the No. 4 or 5 spot, I want you to watch this video clip from over the weekend featuring ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler:
“This is a pivot point in the draft at No. 4 overall. I’ve talked to several teams picking in the top 10 who think Arizona is going to be active at that spot. You see Marvin Harrison Jr. there, probably the best overall player in the draft maybe. So they could have him available if the quarterbacks go ahead of them and maybe make that pick. They also really need a pass rusher. Top four is rich for pass rushers. So do they move back and acquire more capital to get one of those guys in the teens.”
Hmmm. Fowler sharing that teams picking in the top-10 think the Cardinals are in a position to trade back is certainly interesting. As is Fowler’s note that Arizona could look to draft a pass rusher after trading back because taking one with the fourth pick seems rich. Perhaps, with that in mind, it makes sense that the Cardinals (and Chargers, for that matter) are lining up a visit with Alabama pass-rusher Dallas Turner, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Not that mock drafts should be taken as gospel, but I haven’t seen one with the Cards or Chargers taking Turner with a top-five pick.
Therefore, I find myself seeing the news that those teams are hosting a visit for the Crimson Tide standout as a sign that both front offices are doing due diligence on prospects who could be better fits in the event of a trade-down. Especially after hearing Fowler subtly hint that MHJ could be someone a team trading up could target with the No. 4 pick. This is giving me ideas. And I wonder if the Bears are also in that boat.
Should the Bears trade up to draft Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Look, the Cardinals and Chargers both can’t trade back with a team looking for a quarterback. The way I see it, one of those teams appears primed to dangle the possibility of drafting the best non-QB. This should be something the Bears explore if it lands on their desk.
The Bears hosted Marvin Harrison Jr. for a visit last week. Part of me saw it as an example of the team covering all of its bases and digging into all of the top prospects. A little information (even on a prospect you might not draft) never hurt anybody. However, another part of me was curious if this was a sign that Bears GM Ryan Poles would entertain a trade-up for Harrison. After all, teaming presumptive No. 1 pick Caleb Williams with Marvin Harrison Jr. is a dream scenario. And it isn’t all that far-fetched. Hear me out…
Last year, the Houston Texans sent the Nos. 12 and 33 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, a 2024 first-rounder (27th overall) and a 2024 third-rounder (90th overall), to jump and take Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. with the third pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Anderson went on to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award after collecting seven sacks, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 22 quarterback hits for the Texans. Pro Football Focus graded Anderson 21st among 112 qualifying edge defenders.
Maybe that price looked steep at the time. But what is the cost to a team that acquired a top-20 player at what is arguably the second-most-important position (non-QB version) in football? At a minimum, the Bears should be asking themselves those types of questions as they explore their draft options.
The closer we get to the NFL Draft, the more smoke we’ll see. And it could look like what we’re seeing play out with the Cardinals and Chargers. Soon enough, we’ll know if there is fire, too. Stay tuned.
