Mel Kiper Jr. Has A Clear Belief On What Bears Should Do In Draft

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears will be one of the most interesting teams this offseason, as they can manipulate the NFL draft with the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks and/or could trade quarterback Justin Fields.

What Chicago does could have ripple effects across the league, and it’s anyone’s guess what they could do.

On one hand, keeping Justin Fields and trading the No. 1 pick for a bounty of draft capital (like the Bears did in 2023) to a quarterback-needy team is on the table, as is trading Fields and taking one of USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye with the top pick.

But ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Bears should stick with the tried and true method of taking a rookie quarterback.

“Lot of maneuverability for the Bears either way,” Kiper Jr. said. “But if it’s me, I’m taking Caleb Williams [with the No. 1 pick] and trading Justin Fields.”

REPORT: Mel Kiper Jr believes the #Bears could get a 1st round pick for QB Justin Fields.

A few teams to keep an eye on would be the #Falcons, #Raiders, #Broncos and #Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/XxZhi43E4E

— NFLCentral (@NFLTrenchBattle) January 15, 2024

This makes sense for a few reasons: It gives the Bears another few years of a quarterback on a cheaper rookie salary and also allows them to recoup some solid draft capital and grab other important positions of need later in the draft.

Chicago earned the top selection from the Carolina Panthers, who traded their 2024 No. 1 pick in order to move up to get Bryce Young in 2023.

But the Bears also have their No. 9 pick – one they could use either to grab a wide receiver or offensive lineman or even to trade back and get even more picks.

There is a lot on the table for Chicago as they look to rebuild their future.

The post Mel Kiper Jr. Has A Clear Belief On What Bears Should Do In Draft appeared first on The Cold Wire.