Bears pay steep price for Jeffery Simmons, Titans eye 2027 NFL Draft jackpot

The Chicago Bears made one of the biggest moves ahead of next week's NFL trade deadline, acquiring defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in a blockbuster deal. However, the price Chicago paid was significant, surrendering multiple draft picks, including two first-round selections, to land the veteran defensive tackle. But did the Bears give up too much for a player they hope can put them over the top?

Now that the dust has settled, it's time to examine who got the better end of this deal and why the Bears may have made a costly mistake. This week's NFL Draft Fallout also takes a look at five prospects Tennessee should target with its newly acquired draft capital as it begins rebuilding its roster, including one potential selection that could shake up the team's future at quarterback. Additionally, we'll examine a couple of NFC North teams struggling to establish a consistent running game, whether the Carolina Panthers should reconsider their future with Bryce Young, and several other storylines shaping the 2027 NFL Draft.

Did the Bears make a costly mistake trading for Jeffery Simmons?

The Chicago Bears made their biggest gamble of the season by trading three draft picks, including their first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. There is no question that Simmons is an elite talent who can immediately improve Chicago's defensive front. However, there are several reasons why this trade could prove to be a BIG mistake for the Bears.

The first concern is the enormous amount of draft capital Chicago surrendered to acquire Simmons. Giving up first-round picks in each of the next two drafts, along with a 2027 fourth-round pick, is an extraordinary price to pay for a defensive tackle. Historically, the market for elite defensive linemen has been considerably more reasonable. The Cincinnati Bengals acquired Dexter Lawrence for a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while the Seattle Seahawks gave up a 2024 second-round pick and a fifth-round selection to acquire Leonard Williams in 2023. Williams is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the league. With those examples in mind, the Bears have surrendered a staggering amount of draft capital for Simmons.

The second concern is Simmons’ age, as he approaches 30. While teams have made significant investments in established defensive stars, there is a difference between paying a premium for a player entering his prime and acquiring one nearing 30. The Los Angeles Rams surrendered two first-round picks for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019, when he was just 25. Last season, the Indianapolis Colts gave up two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was only 24 at the time. Chicago is making a comparable investment in an older player, creating legitimate concerns about the long-term value of the deal.

The trade also leaves the Bears with a defensive line that is suddenly getting older. Grady Jarrett is 33, Montez Sweat is 30, and Simmons is approaching 30. Although these players can still make an impact, Chicago must consider how quickly its defensive front could decline and how difficult it will be to replace those veterans without premium draft picks. Instead of building a sustainable defense for the next several seasons, the Bears are betting heavily on a group that may have a limited championship window.

Perhaps the biggest issue, however, is that Chicago has not yet established itself as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Bears are 5-2, but they have defeated only one team with a winning record and have lost both of their divisional games, including a blowout loss to Green Bay. There is reason to be optimistic about the direction of the franchise, especially with a young core featuring quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receiver Luther Burden III, and tight end Colston Loveland. However, this is still a team with significant work to do before it can be considered among the NFL’s elite.

That is what makes this trade such a gamble. The Bears are sacrificing two first-round picks and valuable flexibility at a time when those selections could help them build around Caleb Williams and their young offensive core. Simmons immediately improves the defense, but Chicago is paying the price of a Super Bowl contender before proving it belongs among the NFL's elite. If the Bears fall short of their championship ambitions, this could become one of the most regrettable trades in franchise history.

5 prospects the Titans could target with their new 2027 NFL Draft capital

While the Bears are betting on immediate success, the Tennessee Titans are investing in their future. The Jeffery Simmons trade gives Tennessee additional NFL Draft ammunition, including two first-round picks and nine total selections in the 2027 NFL Draft. Whether the Titans look for a new franchise quarterback, replace Simmons along the defensive line, or strengthen their offensive line, these five prospects could play major roles in the team's future.

Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State

It might seem premature for the Titans to give up on Cam Ward, who was selected first overall just two seasons ago. However, Ward has underperformed, showing inconsistent accuracy, questionable decision-making, and a tendency to turn the football over too often. Even after Ward's career-best performance against Cincinnati, questions remain about whether he can develop into the long-term answer. Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker has the highest upside of any quarterback in the 2027 draft class and is a much more polished passer at this stage of his development. Don't be surprised if Tennessee explores trading Ward for a mid-round pick this offseason before potentially using one of its first-round selections to bring Mestemaker into the fold.

Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas

If Mestemaker isn't the Titans' top priority, another logical target would be Texas' elite pass rusher Colin Simmons. Simmons possesses an outstanding combination of quickness and agility that allows him to consistently turn the corner and pressure opposing quarterbacks. His production has been impressive, already recording 10.5 sacks in just six games this season. With Jermaine Johnson II now Tennessee's top defensive lineman following the Simmons trade to Chicago, the Titans also have to consider their long-term needs along the defensive front, especially with Johnson scheduled to become a free agent. Adding a young, explosive pass rusher like Simmons would give Tennessee a potential cornerstone to build its defense around.

Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee

The Titans now have a massive hole at defensive tackle following the trade of Jeffery Simmons to Chicago, and they could look to address that need with the first-round pick they acquired from the Bears in the 2027 NFL Draft. Tennessee's Xavier Gilliam would be an intriguing option, as he offers a similar athletic profile to Simmons with the explosiveness to get off the ball and disrupt opposing offenses. Gilliam, who has been named a midseason All-American, has already recorded six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss this season. Even more impressive is that this is his first year as a full-time starter, suggesting he still has considerable room for development. Given Tennessee's need to replace Simmons, Gilliam could be an appealing option to help rebuild the interior of the defensive line.

Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon

Regardless of who is under center for the Titans next season, Tennessee needs to make significant improvements along its offensive line to provide better protection and generate more movement in the running game. One mid-round prospect worth watching is Oregon center Iapani Laloulu, who earned midseason All-American recognition from The Athletic. Laloulu is a tough, physical interior lineman who displays impressive power as a run blocker while also providing reliability in pass protection. He has surrendered just one sack during his college career, demonstrating the consistency and toughness that could make him an appealing addition to Tennessee's offensive line.

Audavion Collins, CB, Penn State

In addition to addressing the defensive line, the Titans also need to make significant improvements to their secondary this offseason. Entering this weekend's games, Tennessee was allowing the second-highest completion percentage in the NFL while ranking 24th in passing yards allowed per game. Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins could provide an immediate upgrade and should be available in the third round of the 2027 NFL Draft. Collins has allowed just 26 percent of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed, showcasing his ability to make life difficult for opposing receivers. He also brings the physicality and toughness that Tennessee needs in its secondary, making him an intriguing value pick as the Titans look to rebuild their defense.

NFL Draft news and notes

Packers' running game exposes another 2027 NFL Draft need

The Green Bay Packers' running game struggled mightily once again against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, managing just 66 rushing yards, with 18 coming from wide receiver Savion Williams. Josh Jacobs led the Packers with just 1.9 yards per carry on 21 attempts, and no Green Bay running back managed a run longer than six yards on 25 total carries. While addressing the running back position should be a priority this offseason, the Packers would also be wise to upgrade their offensive guard play, which has struggled in run blocking. One potential second-round target who could help address that weakness is Minnesota's Greg Johnson.

Vikings may have another running back problem

Another NFC North team that needs to take a serious look at its running game is the Minnesota Vikings. In their 19-15 loss, Minnesota's running backs combined for just 14 carries, while leading rusher Aaron Jones was held to fewer than 30 rushing yards for the second consecutive game. There have been rumors that the Vikings could look to upgrade the position through a trade, but if they fail to make a move, expect running back to become a priority in the 2027 NFL Draft. One intriguing third- or fourth-round prospect to watch is Missouri's Ahmad Hardy, who has missed most of this season due to injury. However, Hardy was one of the most productive running backs in college football in 2025, finishing second in the FBS with 1,649 rushing yards while forcing 97 missed tackles, also the second-highest total in the nation. His combination of production and ability to create yards after contact could make him an appealing option for a Minnesota offense looking to establish a more consistent ground attack.

Is Bryce Young running out of time in Carolina?

Bryce Young's struggles against the Green Bay Packers raise an uncomfortable question for the Carolina Panthers: Is it time to start looking for his replacement? Young struggled against the Packers, averaging just 5.1 yards per pass attempt while showing limitations with his arm strength and mobility. His inability to escape pressure made him a sitting duck in the pocket at times, resulting in six sacks. Performances like this raise legitimate questions about his long-term ceiling as an NFL starter and whether he might be better suited as a high-end backup. Carolina should at least begin evaluating its options at quarterback heading into the 2027 NFL Draft. Playing in the relatively weak NFC South could make it difficult for the Panthers to land a top-10 selection, meaning they will need to identify value wherever they pick. One potential target to watch is Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who could give Carolina another option under center as the franchise evaluates its future at the position.

Bengals' secondary struggles reveal a major draft need

While Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow delivered a ridiculous performance, accounting for six total touchdowns, Titans quarterback Cam Ward also had an impressive outing, throwing for a career-high 304 yards. Ward's big game exposed some significant weaknesses in Cincinnati's secondary, particularly at cornerback, where both Dax Hill and Josh Newton struggled in coverage. These issues could lead the Bengals to target a cornerback early in the 2027 NFL Draft. One intriguing option with one of their two third-round picks is Nebraska's Andrew Marshall, who was previously recognized as one of NFL Mocks' Sleepers of the Week. Marshall has been outstanding in coverage this season, allowing just 10 receptions on 33 targets. His ability to limit opposing receivers could make him an appealing addition to a Cincinnati secondary that clearly needs improvement.

Buccaneers win without completing a pass, and the Falcons have a new problem

For the first time in 52 years, an NFL team won a game without completing a single pass as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers knocked off the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 while attempting just three passes. The Buccaneers were able to control the game on the ground, with running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell combining for 310 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries in rainy, difficult weather conditions. While this performance shouldn't necessarily convince the Falcons to address the defensive tackle position with an early pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, Tampa Bay's ability to run the ball down their throats should make upgrading the interior defensive line a priority in the middle rounds. One player who could help ensure there isn't a repeat of this 300-yard rushing performance is UCF's Horace Lockett. At 6-foot-6 and 355 pounds, Lockett has the size and physical presence to clog running lanes, occupy multiple blockers, and make life more difficult for opposing rushing attacks.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow