Ryan Poles Is Facing A Ton Of Chaos In 1st Round Of The Draft — Here’s Why
One would think that not picking in the top 10 for the first time in four years would mean the Chicago Bears don’t have to worry as much about things getting chaotic. Alas, it is never that simple in the draft. General manager Ryan Poles has been around long enough to understand that. Always expect the unexpected. Well, it sure sounds like things will get crazy in the upcoming 2026 draft. In a year where the prospect pool isn’t nearly as strong at the top as in other years, the belief is that this might create more volatility.
League insider Jordan Schultz revealed there is a growing sentiment that this 1st round could see some of the heaviest trade action in a long time. While most of the big moves are likely to happen near the top of the 1st round, some teams are hoping to move down from the bottom to land some extra picks later. After all, what this class lacks in blue-chip players it makes up for with depth at certain positions. This would lean into recent rumors that the Bears might be one of those teams.
We already know Ryan Poles isn’t afraid to move down.
He did it twice in 2023, and that was in the top 10, something most general managers would never consider. It worked out pretty well. Not only did the Bears land several extra picks, but they still managed to draft Darnell Wright 10th overall. That doesn’t include his time as a scouting director in Kansas City when they traded out of the 1st round in 2016 and landed Chris Jones. Right now, the Bears have seven picks in this draft. The problem is that they also have several starting jobs that remain uncertain. Poles is not the type of GM who likes such a slim margin of error.
That is why the rumors about the team exploring trade-down options are easy to believe. Barring an unexpected name slipping out of the top of the draft, the options available at #25 won’t be anything special. Experts believe there won’t be much separation in talent between someone taken there and someone taken in the 40s. If true, that means anybody the Bears take at that spot would be a reach. The smart thing to do would be to move down, grab an extra pick or two, and then take somebody they like.
The tricky part is finding a trade partner.
It’s one thing for Ryan Poles to want to move down. That means little if there are no teams interested in moving up. For that to happen, the Bears would need some kind of bait. The typical kind would be a quarterback that a team picking in the top of the 2nd round might want to come up for. New York and Arizona are two such possibilities since neither will take one in the top 10. Another possibility is teams looking for offensive playmakers. The Miami Dolphins have 11 picks in this draft and need wide receiver help. The same is true for the Las Vegas Raiders, especially as they prepare to pick a young quarterback at #1.
Often, the best way to lure teams into a deal is by pointing to those picking after you as threats. In this case, both the Buffalo Bills (#26) and San Francisco 49ers (#27) are believed to be in the market for help at guard. That might compel one or two teams that also need help there to make the jump. One thing we know about Poles is he’s good at working the phones. He’s found workable trades in situations that had no business happening. See Chase Claypool and Robert Quinn.
If there is a deal to be had, he’ll find it.