I really enjoyed reading Patrick’s post about why trading back in the 2026 NFL Draft makes a lot of sense for the Chicago Bears. Moving out from pick No. 25 could create draft capital that can be used to further bolster the 2026 roster. That would be nice. Plus, with the right strokes, a forward-thinking general manager could swipe a pick in a highly regarded 2027 NFL Draft. It could be a major coup if everything falls Chicago’s way when the NFL Draft opens its doors in two weeks.
One NFL insider hears that this could be a “trade-heavy” draft, which could mean that Patrick’s trade-back scenario plays out. However, I can’t rule out the possibility of trading UP in the upcoming draft. And while we haven’t seen a trade-up in Round 1 happen under General Manager Ryan Poles’ watch, we have seen him be aggressive on the transaction wire. Armed with two second-round picks, Poles could opt against waiting for the board to come to him and instead use one of those second-rounders to jump up and snag a player he loves. But what would that even look like?
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2026 NFL Draft: What could it cost for the Bears to trade UP?
In what I found to be a fun (and quirky) exercise, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell creates a mock trade scenario for every team picking in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. And when it comes to the Bears, Barnwell provides a look at what it could cost for the team to move up in two mock draft trade examples and why this front office would do such a thing.
First, a proposed deal between the Bears and Minnesota Vikings:
BEARS GET: Round 1-Pick 18, Round 5-Pick 163 VIKINGS GET: Round 1-Pick 25, Round 2-Pick 60The reason behind the deal:
Ryan Poles has already addressed some of his team’s weaknesses this offseason, but the Bears should still hope to add something meaningful on the edge. Montez Sweat is a very solid starter on one side of the line, but Dayo Odeyingbo is coming off a torn Achilles and didn’t look good in his debut season as a Bears player before the injury. Odeyingbo has no guaranteed money due in 2027, so this trade would be for a rookie who can rotate with him in 2026 before taking over as the starter next year.
Intradivision trades aren’t necessarily tough to pull off. After all, the Bears and Vikings did business two years ago in a deal that landed Chicago the draft pick that was ultimately used to take defensive end Austin Booker. But one involving first-round picks makes for larger hurdles. And I just can’t bring myself to believe the Bears would accept paying a premium to move up seven spots. It just wouldn’t make sense to me. On the other side of the coin, the Vikings would do backflips to add some draft capital this year.
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Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesAnd now, a breakdown of the mock trade between the Bears and Miami Dolphins:
BEARS GET: Round 1-Pick 11, Round 5-Pick 151, Round 7-Pick 227, and a 2027 fifth-round pick DOLPHINS GET: Round 1-Pick 25, Round 2-Pick 57, a 2027 second-round pickAs for the reasoning behind the deal, I find it to be sound:
Though moving from No. 25 to No. 18 wasn’t a drastic jump, going from 25 to 11 would be a much more significant climb. This would really make sense only if one of the top pass-rush prospects, such as Bailey, Bain or Reese, fall out of the top 10. That seems unlikely to me, but stranger things have happened, and the Bears would be well-positioned to pounce if that occurred. If Poles is leaning offense, this would also get the Bears in position for Lemon or Tyson at wide receiver.
2026 NFL DRAFT: Inching Closer With New Mocks
While I don’t think I could sign off on such a move on the first night of the NFL Draft, I’m open to hearing the cases for making the deal. It would have to start with the right player. Perhaps that player is Arvell Reese. The Ohio State pass rusher is a top-5 talent who has a strong case for being the best non-QB prospect in this class. Fellow edge defenders David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Ruben Bain Jr. (Miami) would also fall into the category of defensive playmakers who could be worth trading up to get in the NFL Draft. Barnwell also mentions receiver prospects Makai Lemon (USC) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) as sensible trade-up targets.
All things being equal, my NFL Draft preferences are as follows: (1) The Bears trade back and get some extra picks, (2) stick and stay with the 25th selection, and (3) trade up. And even though I reserve the right to change my mind, I doubt I’ll have a reason to do so between now and when Chicago’s football team goes on the clock in 14 days.
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