Chicago Bears: Potential 2014 NFL Draft Trades to Make
By Erik Lambert
Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) scores a touchdown run against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
There is no question the Chicago Bears are looking for a way down in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Here are some possible trade scenarios.
Mike Evans to the New York Jets for 3rd and 6th round picks
Believe the hype. That is what a lot of Texas A&M fans are shouting after Mike Evans followed his excellent 2013 season with a stirring performance at the scouting combine. The Vincent Jackson comparison look more warranted every day. He’s big, athletic, explosive and apparently faster than originally thought. The New York Jets are in desperate need of a true go-to receiver for Geno Smith. Evans is second best behind Sammy Watkins and would present a much easier and more reliable target for the second-year quarterback. They will have doubles of both 3rd and 6th round picks, so it’s a price they can afford to pay.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the Green Bay Packers for 2nd and 7th round picks
Finding a playmaking safety has been a mission for Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson ever since the loss of Nick Collins to his unfortunate neck injury. Following the scouting combine there is no denying that Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the best in the 2014 class. He’s big, athletic, rangy and his game tape shows a playmaker who can track the football and take it away. That is what the Packers want. Whether the Chicago Bears front office is willing to give him to them is the real question since the two teams are division rivals. An extra 2nd round pick with a 7th round chaser might do the trick. Green Bay can afford it too since they have some compensatory selections coming their way.
Derek Carr to the Cleveland Browns for two 3rd round picks
Taking a quarterback with the 4th overall pick isn’t entirely necessary for the Cleveland Browns. They also hold the 26th pick. GM Ray Farmer said he wasn’t afraid to move up if the right situation presented itself. So what if the Browns took Sammy Watkins to pair with Josh Gordon with the 4th pick, then used the 26th as a launch point to move up and snag one of the top four quarterbacks at a fraction of what it would’ve cost if they’ve moved up earlier. Considering rumors they are enamored with FresnoState quarterback Derek Carr, there is a good chance the Bears could offer him up with the 14th pick. After all, beyond them teams like Dallas, New York (Jets), Arizona and Cincinnati are all threats to take a quarterback early. By sacrificing two third round picks they can lock up their quarterback and have two gamebreaking weapons waiting for him.
Justin Gilbert to the San Francisco 49ers for 2nd and 3rd round picks
They may hold the 30th overall pick but that won’t stop the San Francisco 49ers from moving up if they want. The team has multiple 2nd and 3rd round choices at their disposal and are expecting an extra 4th round compensatory pick as well. They are team looking for difference-makers at the skill positions, either wide receivers or cornerbacks. It might be hard for the Bears to do, but they could offer Justin Gilbert as an option. The OklahomaState corner was already the best on the board given his seven interceptions and excellent game film. That was before he blew up the combine, posting top numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.37) and bench press (20 reps). He is that potential shutdown corner they’ve been missing who is a perfect fit for their defense. The Chicago Bears would be sacrificing a lot, but getting an extra 2nd and 3rd round pick in the deal would soften the blow in what is a very deep 2014 NFL draft class.