The Chicago Bears are actively exploring aggressive trade-up scenarios in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, with a clear strategy to target specific elite talents should they begin to slide. According to a detailed analysis on Chicago Bears Now, General Manager Ryan Poles and his staff have identified four primary prospects who could justify a move up from their current spot at pick 25, provided the cost does not include a future first-round selection.
The team’s draft capital, featuring four selections within the top 89 and additional picks later, provides the ammunition for strategic maneuvers. The guiding principle is a refusal to enter the top ten, where the price would be prohibitive, but a willingness to package current-year picks to secure a transformative player who fills a critical roster need. This calculated approach underscores the front office’s belief in a draft rich with value in the middle of the first round.
At the forefront of potential targets is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, a player many considered the safest prospect in the entire class. Despite his pedigree as a three-year standout at Alabama and Ohio State, Downs has experienced a perplexing pre-draft slide in some projections. His combination of elite coverage skills, run defense, and versatility makes him a unique defensive weapon.

The proposed trade scenario involves a move up to the 15th overall pick, currently held by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this hypothetical, Chicago would send picks 25 and 60 to secure Downs, a move that aligns closely with established draft value charts. Securing a player of his caliber to anchor the secondary would represent a major coup without sacrificing an excessive amount of future assets.
Another tantalizing possibility is Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse. Recent whispers suggest his shorter arm length could cause a slight fall outside the top ten picks. However, his elite pass-rush win rate, explosive athleticism, and diverse repertoire of moves make him a highly coveted prospect for a Bears defense seeking a dynamic bookend.
Should Verse slip past the Cincinnati Bengals at pick ten, the analysis suggests a bold move to pick 11 with the Miami Dolphins. The proposed package includes picks 25 and 57 this year, plus a 2027 third-round selection. While a significant investment, acquiring a potential cornerstone pass rusher at a slight discount due to measurables is a gamble the Bears might be willing to take.

The cornerback position also presents a compelling trade-up opportunity with Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. Before missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL, McCoy was viewed as a bonafide top-ten talent, showcasing shutdown ability and excellent man-coverage skills. His recent workout, displaying full health and explosive traits, has reignited his first-round stock.
If McCoy passes division rivals Minnesota and Detroit, a move to pick 19 with the Carolina Panthers is proposed. The swap would send picks 25 and 57 to Carolina for pick 19 and a third-rounder (83rd overall). This maneuver would allow Chicago to address a potential long-term need at cornerback with a high-upside player while maintaining valuable day-two selections.
Finally, Oregon safety Dylon Theamman represents a potential target for a more modest move up the board. Prized for his elite speed and physicality, Theamman fits the Bears’ stated offseason goal of adding velocity to the defense. While linked to teams like Dallas and the Chargers, a slight fall could prompt action.
The suggested trade here is a minor jump from 25 to 21 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, exchanging the 57th pick for the 76th. This allows Chicago to secure their preferred safety without a major depletion of draft capital, preserving volume on the draft’s second day to address other roster holes.
These four scenarios illustrate a prepared and proactive draft strategy from the Bears’ war room. The common thread is a targeted aggression, moving up only for specific players who both fill a need and represent exceptional value outside the draft’s elite tier. The refusal to part with a future first-round pick establishes a clear boundary, but within that framework, significant movement is on the table.
Other elite talents, including LSU wide receiver Jeremiah Love or Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner, would also prompt immediate phone calls should they experience an unexpected slide. The final decision will hinge on the unpredictable flow of the draft board itself, but the Bears have evidently done their homework, preparing for multiple avenues to land a difference-maker. As the draft nears, all eyes will be on Halas Hall to see if Poles executes one of these bold plans to accelerate the team’s competitive timeline.
Source: YouTube