On Friday came the long expected news that the Chicago Bears had traded down from the number one overall pick with the Carolina Panthers. Ever since the Bears secured the No.1 pick, it was largely expected they would look to secure draft capital and build around their young QB Justin Fields.
Bears Receive:
No. 9 first-round pick
No. 61 second-round pick
2024 first-round pick
2025 second-round pick
WR DJ Moore
Panthers Receive:
No. 1 overall pick
Bears
Grade: A+
Gut Check: Already secure at QB, the Bears decide to do the smart thing and load up on draft picks and build around Justin Fields. Ironically, the Panthers had the opportunity to draft Fields in 2021 but chose to go with CB Jaycee Horn. Fields has shown the ability to play well despite a lackluster supporting cast throwing for 2,242 yards at just over a 60% completion rate and rushing for 1,143 yards in 2022. Perhaps the best part of the trade is acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore who, without a consistent quarterback, has managed to thrive and record three 1,000 yard seasons. Moore is an instant upgrade to the position and becomes the No. 1 wideout in Chicago. With the draft capital secured from the trade, the Bears will be able to bolster key positions and set themselves up for success in the future.
Panthers:
Grade: B
Gut Check: Rumors surrounding the Panthers trading up in some capacity seemed all but certain going into Friday. Since the departure/return of Cam Newton and hiring of Matt Rhule, the Panthers have been in QB purgatory with the Bridgewater, Darnold, Mayfield experiment yielding little. Trading into the No.1 pick shows the Panthers are ready to swing big for one of the promising young quarterbacks available. Overall, the draft pick compensation feels appropriate for such a treasured pick. The Panthers were even able to hold onto the No. 40 pick received in the trade for Christian McCaffrey. However, the decision to tradeaway DJ Moore is troubling. Moore was one of the lone bright spots on offense during his tenure in Carolina and he leaves behind arguably one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Expect the Panthers to look into the free agent market and the draft to bolster this group but currently whoever is under center for the Panthers will be throwing to the likes of Terrace Marshall Jr., Shi Smith and Laviska Shenault Jr.
Edit: Panthers have signed Adam Thielan to a 3-year $25 million dollar deal. Thielan recorded 70 receptions for 716 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2022.