What will the Chicago Bears do at No. 1 overall if Ryan Poles can’t trade out?

Ask any Chicago Bears fan about what they’d like general manager Ryan Poles to do with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and the answer will be nearly unanimous: trade out, add more picks to the 2023 draft arsenal, and pick up an extra first-round pick in 2024.

Sure, that’s the best-case scenario. But that also assumes there will be a hot enough trade market for this year’s quarterbacks, led by Alabama’s Bryce Young.

But here’s the problem: Young’s measurables are expected to check in way below NFL standards for a quarterback (he’ll be around 5-11, 190 pounds). Will his size scare quarterback-needy teams away? It’s way too early to know. But there’s at least a possibility that general manager Ryan Poles can’t trade out of the top pick for a package he deems fair.

So, what will Poles do if that happens? According to the 33rd Team’s latest 2023 Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears will stay at No. 1 overall and take Georgia stud defensive lineman Jalen Carter:

“No one is willing to meet the Bears’ demands to move out of the top spot, and they won’t want to risk missing out on an elite talent like Carter. He will make an immediate impact on the Bears’ struggling defense with the ability to disrupt in the run-and-pass game.”

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Jalen Carter to the Chicago Bears is gaining momentum

Carter to the Bears is becoming more than just a trend in the NFL draft space. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently said the Bears would be enriched with the best player in the draft if they keep the top pick, and Mel Kiper Jr. sent Carter to the Bears in his most recent mock draft. It sure seems like Jalen Carter has taken the lead as the favorite among big-media to be the No. 1 pick if Chicago keeps it.

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, that may not be the case. Most mock drafters are still sending Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. to the Bears, although the aggregate totals don’t factor in where Chicago selects in Round 1. Anderson is the Chicago Bears’ pick in 67.5% of mock drafts.

As I’ve said many times on The Bears Talk Podcast, Poles is in a near-no-lose situation. Whether he takes Carter, Anderson, or trades down and acquires more picks, it’ll be hard to argue with the outcome. The Bears will improve after the 2023 NFL Draft, no matter what they do.

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