The Chicago Bears will head into the offseason holding the No. 1 general decide within the NFL Draft for the second consecutive yr, due to final March’s commerce with the Carolina Panthers.
Chicago has the chance to land a possible franchise-changing prospect in USC signal-caller Caleb Williams, however contemplating QB Justin Fields’ stellar play down the stretch, ought to they commerce the primary decide once more? In response to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, league executives consider the Bears “may internet greater than [they] did within the Panthers commerce, and from a potential commerce companion already choosing within the prime 5.”
With that, listed here are 4 groups that ought to think about buying and selling for the primary general decide in April’s draft.
Atlanta Falcons
Regardless of the issues related to giving HC Arthur Smith one other gifted prospect to under-utilize, Atlanta desperately wants a franchise quarterback. Based mostly on Tankathon’s projections, the Falcons are slated to pick out ninth general in April’s draft, that means they may miss out on the highest three quarterbacks within the class. Drafting an older passer, akin to Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., is an possibility, although he has much less upside than Williams and Atlanta has to make a substantial quantity of progress in 2024 for Smith to maintain his job.
Even with QBs Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke combining for 15 landing passes season – the sixth-fewest amongst NFL groups – the Falcons have nonetheless managed to win seven of their first 16 video games. Six of their 9 losses have additionally been determined by one rating, suggesting the staff won’t be far off from turning into profitable within the close to future. By including a participant of Williams’ caliber to a younger offensive core that includes RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta may set up itself as a perennial NFC South contender as early as subsequent season.
Minnesota Vikings
Though it would not be shocking if the Vikings re-signed impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins, it is troublesome to think about that they’d give a long-term deal to a 35-year-old coming off a torn Achilles. Final offseason, Cousins sought a three-year extension with Minnesota and the staff was unwilling to decide to him previous the 2024 season, per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. Bringing again Cousins on a one-year prove-it deal whereas drafting a quarterback to take a seat for subsequent season looks as if a helpful transfer for all events.
Since it’s projected to land the twelfth decide in April’s draft, Minnesota would seemingly have to provide the Bears a considerably bigger bundle than the Panthers, who have been initially set to choose ninth final yr. Despite the fact that Carolina certainly regrets its choice, the Vikings most likely would not in the event that they traded up. In spite of everything, they’ve a vivid, offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell and an elite pass-catching corps headlined by Justin Jefferson, arguably the very best wideout within the league.
New England Patriots
After clinching their worst document since 1992, the Patriots may bear a number of important adjustments this offseason, which may embrace presumably parting methods with six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach Invoice Belichick. Even so, no matter what occurs subsequent for the 71-year-old coach, the Patriots may use a recent begin at quarterback, particularly contemplating that their offense ranks thirty second in factors per recreation this season (14.6).
Holding the third general decide by means of the season’s first 17 weeks, the Patriots would not need to commerce up in the event that they have been to safe it, however ought to if the staff has a choice between Williams and UNC QB Drake Maye. Nevertheless, if New England beats the New York Jets on Sunday, because it has finished for 15 straight conferences, its decide may fall as little as fifth general. In such a state of affairs, New England won’t have a selection however to maneuver up in a last-ditch effort to return to relevance.
New York Giants
For the second consecutive offseason, the way forward for Giants QB Daniel Jones – whose season was reduce brief by neck and knee accidents – is unsure. New York inked Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal final offseason after he guided the staff on an sudden playoff run just for the signal-caller to wrestle mightily in six video games this season. However, on condition that backups Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito outperformed Jones this season, together with the truth that the staff can reduce ties with him after subsequent season, maybe GM Joe Schoen will hunt down a alternative.
Out of each staff included on this record, New York would possibly be capable of provide the strongest bundle. After sending DT Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks on the commerce deadline, the Giants personal 15 picks over the subsequent two drafts, together with three of the highest 46 alternatives for this coming April. The one different groups with three 2024 alternatives within the first 50 picks are the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders.
