Grade The Trade....Down

[The Marshall Plan]

The official details of The Trade Down...

Chicago Receives:

DJ Moore
2023 #9 Overall
2023 2nd
2024 1st rounder
2025 2nd rounder

Carolina Receives

2023 #1 Overall

[Grizzled]

8. Really solid. If the Bears had gotten #39 instead of #61 and maybe a 4th, off the charts. Very good job, Poles. Younknew what you had to have and got it. If the Bears, Eagles, and Panthers had worked a 3 way trade and the Bears also gotten Minshew, it would have broken the internet .....

[dave99]

Moore instantly makes the WR room respectable if not a bit frightening.
The problem is what to do with that #9 pick.
Assuming they fix the OL and IDL in FA, the last really desperate need is DE.
After Wilson and maybe Murphy they are probably going to be reaching but the best second tier guys will be long gone by the Bears pick at #54
I think they may have to trade down again or trade up from the second to really make this pay off.
Or they could just test the limits of BPA and take Robinson.
Any DL looks good playing with a 10-14 point lead.

[HurricaneBear]

8 - a higher second this year would have jumped it up to a 9 or 10

[wulfy]

We get overly wired on draft capital vs talent sometimes - the inclusion of Moore, a 25 year old Pro Bowl WR, is so much more than a throw in.

Tyree Wilson or Lukas Van Loch Ness Monster at 9 would be fantastic.

Rated it an 8

[LacertineForest]

8 - a higher second this year would have jumped it up to a 9 or 10

I voted it a 9, but I think this is more accurate about how I feel - call it an 8.5. It's still a great deal for the Bears, any way you slice it.

I think pick # 9 is going to be pretty valuable, especially if there is an early run on QBs. They might even be able to snag the guy they want and other assets if there are one or maybe two QBs left and a team wants to move up a few spots to get him.

[thunderspirit]

I voted 9. It's as close to an ideal trade as I could've asked.

[dplank]

9. Nothing to not like here IMO. Poles is helping Fields by adding Moore, which has a major trickle down impact to the whole WR/TE group. There will still be a super premium OL or DL player at 9, as 4 QBs should go before we pick. Extra first next year from a team that Poles just kneecapped, maximizing that picks value. The extra second this year is critical as we have so many holes on the roster, gives us 4 picks in the top 70 now. And then an extra 2nd in 2025 is just icing on the cake.

This is a great deal. Changes my whole offseason plan lol, I’ll pass on Brown now as I think OT is our pick at 9

[The Marshall Plan]

I gave it an 8, but I had to get over not getting a dominant DL in the trade. Earlier on, I really wanted to trade for Tee Higgins or a couple other guys with trade down picks. This trade does that so when I look at it that way I'm solid with what we got.

1) DJ Moore = 1st round pick.
Legit #1 WR with multiple 1,000 yards seasons with dog vomit for QBs
25 years old
Signed for the next three seasons at a reasonable price

2) #9 overall pick.
This is lower than I would've liked, but this now opens my mind to changing directions with the 1st round draft choice. I still like Myles Murphy here, but now I'm thinking Bijan Robinson is a great idea.

A RB at 9 sounds nuts, but look at our offense now and hear me out.

JF1
Moore: Legit #1 WR
Mooney: This is his role. A good #2 WR with good hands that catches what he is thrown. I like him here for us.
Claypool: I'm not down on Claypool like some others here. Yet giving up that pick was a lot. He didn't do that though. Poles did. Claypool as a 3 gets the slot corner. That's a mismatch all game long. He automatically gets better.
Kmet: I'm trusting some of you that he's good. He did show massive improvement last year. But this is a guy that's going to benefit from having Moore and Mooney out there to spread the coverage. He could really have a great year.

What's missing? A running back.

Monty is not the answer. 3 yards, 3 yards, 4 yards, 3 yards. Yawn. We never get dominance out of him. You don't stack the box for Monty.

The cupboard in FA is bare at RB. There's nobody that's a gamechanger now.

Bijan Robinson fills that and gives this offense that missing dimension. Put those three WRs with JF1 and add a RB who can get 1,000 yards and is a threat to break off the long run.

The trick here is that we've GOT TO spend $$$ in FA on the OL and DL. We need two guys for the OL and an entirely new DL. That's the only way drafting Robinson works. If we suck at FA then all bets are off. I think we can overpay for Orlando Brown, draft a center and be fine for the OL. Move Jones to RT.

DL we've got to get guys.

I just see this offense now and we need a RB badly because if we can run, nobody is stopping this offense.

I've seen some things that are saying Poles isn't done trading. Whatever he does. DO NOT trade our Carolina first rounder for next year. That could be a top 5 pick. Rookie QB. Not a lot of support. The problem is their division sucks too.

[Rusty Trombagent]

I think pick # 9 is going to be pretty valuable, especially if there is an early run on QBs. They might even be able to snag the guy they want and other assets if there are one or maybe two QBs left and a team wants to move up a few spots to get him.

Yeah that's the thought i keep going back to. Either 4 QB's go in the top 8 and we've got a couple of studs to choose from, or 3 go and someone, like say Washington or Tennessee, or even Detroit or Tampa gets itchy to jump up and grab the last guy. Jimmy Garoppolo feels like the big wildcard right now.

[Rusty Trombagent]

Any DL looks good playing with a 10-14 point lead.

Not the 2022 Chicago Bears!

[IE]

I gave it Herschel Trade rating - a 10. Funny I made that reference just a while ago before I had even seen this poll. Of course that is just "potential" to get there and if it doesn't shake out anywhere remotely how I envision it will then I'll be willing to knock it down a couple of notches to just an 8 or so. But unless or until that happens, it is a 10.

Here's my thinking:

DJ Moore is absolutely equivalent to an in-year first round pick, and should be considered the 3rd first rounder in the trade. He's instantly the best WR the Bears have EVER had. And he's only 26 this season it's incredible. I thought the Bears were going to have to trade for a 30 year old to get that savvy vet X for JF1, or sort of limp along with WR2/3 types for one more year. I didn't even let myself dream about a trade for DJ because he's young and we've discussed here he would be a core part of a rebuild in Carolina. But nope - Poles pulled off the un-thinkable, and Carolina is left right now with rookie Young throwing to Terrance Marshall Jr. and Laviska. Poles was absolutely brilliant here - he dominated Carolina.

Carter is likely to fall. QBs are rising, stud CBs (and there are two of them) get picked high. There are a few highly regarded EDGE who should go early and Carter did just enough to cause himself to slip by a few teams that may have taken him earlier over Anderson or Wilson if he hadn't raised questions about himself. Fine with me - Carter is considered by MANY to be the top graded/top value player in this draft. He was mocked by many to go to the Bears at #1.... and the Bears are going to grab him at 9. Boom.

That extra 2nd rounder is right in the area where the best C candidates are coming off the board. I could even see Poles trading UP a pick or two to get Schmitz or who knows maybe Wypler. They're going to get their Center. Finally.

The '24 first rounder is going to be top 10 and put Poles in position to grab Harrison Jr. Which would be unreal - but highly potentially real!

The '25 2nd rounder ... who knows. We have to wait a long time to give this thing a final grade but regardless IMO even without that pick this trade equivalent to 3 first rounders and 1 second rounder would be at least a 9 on this poll.

If they land a Carter or Wilson and a stud like Harrison next year in addition to DJ Moore and a starting Center... it's a 10 folks.

That extra '25 2nd rounder is gravy - but if it turns into a 5th starter this one might go to 11!

[Mikefive]

I voted 9. I woke up this morning and before I saw this thread, I rated the trade an A. Herschel Walker was a deal that stands alone by taking advantage of incredible stupidity.

But there's so much right about this deal that there are no negatives in my eyes.

DJ Moore is such a great need and fit for us. The value there is incredible. Let's talk about just him for a minute.
- 25 years old #1 WR. We couldn't have asked for much better unless you were expecting us to get Justin Jefferson or Jamarr Chase.
- Affordable contract for THREE years! Set to make $20m this year and $16M the next two. An absolute financial bargain.
- Think of the effect on the WR room. Pushes Mooney back to #2, where he was a 1000 yard receiver and where he belongs. And Claypool as #3. St. Brown as #4, where he'll be more effective. Then there's VJJ as #5 (or better?). Even in the unlikely event that DJ gets completely neutralized (he has 3 seasons over 1000 yards with bad QB play), he's already created mismatches for the rest of the WR room.
- Somebody pointed out this stat that I heard yesterday... Justin Fields was the most effective NFL QB with 10-19 yard throws. DJ Moore was one of the most effective WRs in the league on 10-19 yard throws. Ponder that for a minute. Yes, that's obviously cherry picked data and negatives are being ignored there. Still, he accentuates Fields' best throwing attribute, at least based on that statistic. Justin Fields just got better.

If you want to quibble about the 23 and 25 R2 picks, have at it. But you have to give to get. Would you rather have DJ Moore and those lower picks? Or pick 40 and the '25 R1 pick instead? For me, I'll take the sure thing NOW that will impact Fields in year 3 of his rookie contract. See paragraph above.

I also LOVE the timing of this move. Now we can focus on the lines as free agency approaches without having to worry about how to upgrade the WR group which was also a desperate need.

If you needed as reason to be happy we have Ryan Poles, he just delivered it.

Of course, he needs to make good FA and additional draft bounty choices. But we sure look to be setup for future success. And if for some reason Fields doesn't take the steps he needs to take next year, we have multiple #1s next year to do something about it.

[EricTighe]

Love it and gave it a 9.

If you didn't put Walker trade in there, it would have been a 10.

Weak draft class, in general, this year though there are players. Next year's draft already looks stronger and deeper.

This trade tells me that Poles and company have at least 5 players with a legit 1st round grade. Taking away the 4 QB's going in the top ten.


If Carolina or the Bears suck next year this trade could go up to a 20. If Feilds shows the right development and we end up with the 1st pick again. Those two QB's next year are considered to be the top pick in this class. It could get really interesting.

[Mikefive]

For the record, I really like the entertainment value of this dude, even if he's a Packer guy.

[bearsoldier]

8. Really solid. If the Bears had gotten #39 instead of #61 and maybe a 4th, off the charts. Very good job, Poles...

I had to warm up to it as I had hoped for more picks... Gaining DJ Moore is really what makes the trade sweet.

My main concern is that it could rule out drafting JSN but some say he is still in play and maybe even more so at #9.

Yes, if we could have gotten the #39 instead of the #61 along with a 4th or 5th this year would have rated it a 10 for me.

I rated it 8 and think it is great! Bear Down!

[wab]

I’ll give it a 7-8 as of now. FA and how the draft falls could push it to a 9-10.

[WagonForce]

I gave it an 8. It's really good and probably even better than that in reality.

I was hoping the move down would give the Bears a pick somewhere between the top of the 1st and the bottom of the 2nd in this year's draft. There's a lot of value every year at the top of the second round and as of right now there's a bit of a gulf between choosing at #9 and then again at #53. Maybe the Bears trade down from #9, or package some picks and trade back up somewhere, but there's obviously drawbacks to those moves too.

If I'm honest with myself I was drunk on the idea of getting even more picks but for where the Bears are now, trying to settle the question on Fields passing ability, this package with Moore is probably ideal. Given the lack of standout options in the draft or in FA for the WR position, it's even more clear to me why Poles viewed this deal as the one to make. Having an extra first rounder in 2024 is going to be fantastic and that distant second rounder in 2025 will also be sweet when those days do arrive.

My excitement for next season with this group is only going to grow with FA coming up quick and then the draft after that. I better set up some killer camping plans this summer otherwise it's going to feel like a long wait for this Bears fan.

[RichH55]

I gave it Herschel Trade rating - a 10. Funny I made that reference just a while ago before I had even seen this poll. Of course that is just "potential" to get there and if it doesn't shake out anywhere remotely how I envision it will then I'll be willing to knock it down a couple of notches to just an 8 or so. But unless or until that happens, it is a 10.

Here's my thinking:

DJ Moore is absolutely equivalent to an in-year first round pick, and should be considered the 3rd first rounder in the trade. He's instantly the best WR the Bears have EVER had. And he's only 26 this season it's incredible. I thought the Bears were going to have to trade for a 30 year old to get that savvy vet X for JF1, or sort of limp along with WR2/3 types for one more year. I didn't even let myself dream about a trade for DJ because he's young and we've discussed here he would be a core part of a rebuild in Carolina. But nope - Poles pulled off the un-thinkable, and Carolina is left right now with rookie Young throwing to Terrance Marshall Jr. and Laviska. Poles was absolutely brilliant here - he dominated Carolina.

Carter is likely to fall. QBs are rising, stud CBs (and there are two of them) get picked high. There are a few highly regarded EDGE who should go early and Carter did just enough to cause himself to slip by a few teams that may have taken him earlier over Anderson or Wilson if he hadn't raised questions about himself. Fine with me - Carter is considered by MANY to be the top graded/top value player in this draft. He was mocked by many to go to the Bears at #1.... and the Bears are going to grab him at 9. Boom.

That extra 2nd rounder is right in the area where the best C candidates are coming off the board. I could even see Poles trading UP a pick or two to get Schmitz or who knows maybe Wypler. They're going to get their Center. Finally.

The '24 first rounder is going to be top 10 and put Poles in position to grab Harrison Jr. Which would be unreal - but highly potentially real!

The '25 2nd rounder ... who knows. We have to wait a long time to give this thing a final grade but regardless IMO even without that pick this trade equivalent to 3 first rounders and 1 second rounder would be at least a 9 on this poll.

If they land a Carter or Wilson and a stud like Harrison next year in addition to DJ Moore and a starting Center... it's a 10 folks.

That extra '25 2nd rounder is gravy - but if it turns into a 5th starter this one might go to 11!

I gave it a 9 because 10 was specifically to be considered a Hershel Walker type trade

The Walker trade - for a HB going into his 8th year not even the #1 pick in the draft - Netted the Cowboys 3 1sts and 3 2nds

If that's what a 10 looks like - no deal you are making ever is a 10

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I graded it an 8. I think if you had asked me five minutes after the trade I would have said a 5. But after getting it all squared away in my head, I think it was a great move. REALLY looking forward to FA now that the Chiefs aren't tagging Orlando Brown.

[IE]

I gave it Herschel Trade rating - a 10. Funny I made that reference just a while ago before I had even seen this poll. Of course that is just "potential" to get there and if it doesn't shake out anywhere remotely how I envision it will then I'll be willing to knock it down a couple of notches to just an 8 or so. But unless or until that happens, it is a 10.

Here's my thinking:

DJ Moore is absolutely equivalent to an in-year first round pick, and should be considered the 3rd first rounder in the trade. He's instantly the best WR the Bears have EVER had. And he's only 26 this season it's incredible. I thought the Bears were going to have to trade for a 30 year old to get that savvy vet X for JF1, or sort of limp along with WR2/3 types for one more year. I didn't even let myself dream about a trade for DJ because he's young and we've discussed here he would be a core part of a rebuild in Carolina. But nope - Poles pulled off the un-thinkable, and Carolina is left right now with rookie Young throwing to Terrance Marshall Jr. and Laviska. Poles was absolutely brilliant here - he dominated Carolina.

Carter is likely to fall. QBs are rising, stud CBs (and there are two of them) get picked high. There are a few highly regarded EDGE who should go early and Carter did just enough to cause himself to slip by a few teams that may have taken him earlier over Anderson or Wilson if he hadn't raised questions about himself. Fine with me - Carter is considered by MANY to be the top graded/top value player in this draft. He was mocked by many to go to the Bears at #1.... and the Bears are going to grab him at 9. Boom.

That extra 2nd rounder is right in the area where the best C candidates are coming off the board. I could even see Poles trading UP a pick or two to get Schmitz or who knows maybe Wypler. They're going to get their Center. Finally.

The '24 first rounder is going to be top 10 and put Poles in position to grab Harrison Jr. Which would be unreal - but highly potentially real!

The '25 2nd rounder ... who knows. We have to wait a long time to give this thing a final grade but regardless IMO even without that pick this trade equivalent to 3 first rounders and 1 second rounder would be at least a 9 on this poll.

If they land a Carter or Wilson and a stud like Harrison next year in addition to DJ Moore and a starting Center... it's a 10 folks.

That extra '25 2nd rounder is gravy - but if it turns into a 5th starter this one might go to 11!

I gave it a 9 because 10 was specifically to be considered a Hershel Walker type trade

The Walker trade - for a HB going into his 8th year not even the #1 pick in the draft - Netted the Cowboys 3 1sts and 3 2nds

If that's what a 10 looks like - no deal you are making ever is a 10

Yeah - the cards still need to fall right for it to really be considered an all-time elite type deal. I took a different approach than most, assuming it would continue to go as well as it can. Others are waiting to see the results before rating it higher. I'm just an optimist by nature - and like I said it doesn't cost anything extra to be optimistic.

Even right now though I think this deal is really close and near the top of all-time deals if we consider DJ equal to a first rounder (I certainly do). A proven, experienced vet X who is only 25-26. There isn't even a sure X in this draft let alone a proven one. DJ with JF1 could get quite a bit better. Imagine that. But even if he stays an 1100 yard, 4-7 TD guy it is still a slam dunk in terms of support for JF1.

So anyway I consider this pretty darn close to Walker level - three 1sts and two 2nds (just a 2nd rounder short). But it might not be done then! If JF1 is doing great and the Panther struggles even more this year (likely, IMO), can you imagine the Bears having a top pick AGAIN next year and not needing a QB? That Panther first could turn into even more first rounders - and it could keep snowballing and turn into a Tunsil-type accumulation of players adding up over time.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

I gave it a 7, but wab is right, FA could elevate it.

We NEED TO FIX THE LINES

[pus]

I gave it Herschel Trade rating - a 10. Funny I made that reference just a while ago before I had even seen this poll. Of course that is just "potential" to get there and if it doesn't shake out anywhere remotely how I envision it will then I'll be willing to knock it down a couple of notches to just an 8 or so. But unless or until that happens, it is a 10.

Here's my thinking:

DJ Moore is absolutely equivalent to an in-year first round pick, and should be considered the 3rd first rounder in the trade. He's instantly the best WR the Bears have EVER had. And he's only 26 this season it's incredible. I thought the Bears were going to have to trade for a 30 year old to get that savvy vet X for JF1, or sort of limp along with WR2/3 types for one more year. I didn't even let myself dream about a trade for DJ because he's young and we've discussed here he would be a core part of a rebuild in Carolina. But nope - Poles pulled off the un-thinkable, and Carolina is left right now with rookie Young throwing to Terrance Marshall Jr. and Laviska. Poles was absolutely brilliant here - he dominated Carolina.

Carter is likely to fall. QBs are rising, stud CBs (and there are two of them) get picked high. There are a few highly regarded EDGE who should go early and Carter did just enough to cause himself to slip by a few teams that may have taken him earlier over Anderson or Wilson if he hadn't raised questions about himself. Fine with me - Carter is considered by MANY to be the top graded/top value player in this draft. He was mocked by many to go to the Bears at #1.... and the Bears are going to grab him at 9. Boom.

That extra 2nd rounder is right in the area where the best C candidates are coming off the board. I could even see Poles trading UP a pick or two to get Schmitz or who knows maybe Wypler. They're going to get their Center. Finally.

The '24 first rounder is going to be top 10 and put Poles in position to grab Harrison Jr. Which would be unreal - but highly potentially real!

The '25 2nd rounder ... who knows. We have to wait a long time to give this thing a final grade but regardless IMO even without that pick this trade equivalent to 3 first rounders and 1 second rounder would be at least a 9 on this poll.

If they land a Carter or Wilson and a stud like Harrison next year in addition to DJ Moore and a starting Center... it's a 10 folks.

That extra '25 2nd rounder is gravy - but if it turns into a 5th starter this one might go to 11!

I gave it a 9 because 10 was specifically to be considered a Hershel Walker type trade

The Walker trade - for a HB going into his 8th year not even the #1 pick in the draft - Netted the Cowboys 3 1sts and 3 2nds

If that's what a 10 looks like - no deal you are making ever is a 10

A perfect 10?

I agree with Rich. It's not a Herschel-level deal, not yet anyhow.

Hopefully in about three or four years but we'll see..

I give it an 8 and I too am ready for a big handful of linemen.

[The Marshall Plan]

I gave it a 7, but wab is right, FA could elevate it.

We NEED TO FIX THE LINES

You'll see that now in FA.

The WR options were just so weak in FA and not a priority in the draft given other needs.

Now the WR group is a big strength and we still have $75M in cap space.

I read this morning that even after this trade and taking on Moore's salary that we still have the most cap space of any team.

I think what Poles does is spends the money on the DL and then OL get addressed in the draft.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I think pick # 9 is going to be pretty valuable, especially if there is an early run on QBs. They might even be able to snag the guy they want and other assets if there are one or maybe two QBs left and a team wants to move up a few spots to get him.

Yeah that's the thought i keep going back to. Either 4 QB's go in the top 8 and we've got a couple of studs to choose from, or 3 go and someone, like say Washington or Tennessee, or even Detroit or Tampa gets itchy to jump up and grab the last guy. Jimmy Garoppolo feels like the big wildcard right now.

Tennessee maybe. It would only be dropping back behind the Eagles so the only risk is they take the player you most want.

Detroit or Tampa at 18 or 19 with the Texans, Jets, Patriots, Packers, Commanders and Steelers in between? No, I'll stick with what I've got and take one of those blue-chip players thanks.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I gave it Herschel Trade rating - a 10. Funny I made that reference just a while ago before I had even seen this poll. Of course that is just "potential" to get there and if it doesn't shake out anywhere remotely how I envision it will then I'll be willing to knock it down a couple of notches to just an 8 or so. But unless or until that happens, it is a 10.

Here's my thinking:

DJ Moore is absolutely equivalent to an in-year first round pick, and should be considered the 3rd first rounder in the trade. He's instantly the best WR the Bears have EVER had. And he's only 26 this season it's incredible. I thought the Bears were going to have to trade for a 30 year old to get that savvy vet X for JF1, or sort of limp along with WR2/3 types for one more year. I didn't even let myself dream about a trade for DJ because he's young and we've discussed here he would be a core part of a rebuild in Carolina. But nope - Poles pulled off the un-thinkable, and Carolina is left right now with rookie Young throwing to Terrance Marshall Jr. and Laviska. Poles was absolutely brilliant here - he dominated Carolina.

Carter is likely to fall. QBs are rising, stud CBs (and there are two of them) get picked high. There are a few highly regarded EDGE who should go early and Carter did just enough to cause himself to slip by a few teams that may have taken him earlier over Anderson or Wilson if he hadn't raised questions about himself. Fine with me - Carter is considered by MANY to be the top graded/top value player in this draft. He was mocked by many to go to the Bears at #1.... and the Bears are going to grab him at 9. Boom.

That extra 2nd rounder is right in the area where the best C candidates are coming off the board. I could even see Poles trading UP a pick or two to get Schmitz or who knows maybe Wypler. They're going to get their Center. Finally.

The '24 first rounder is going to be top 10 and put Poles in position to grab Harrison Jr. Which would be unreal - but highly potentially real!

The '25 2nd rounder ... who knows. We have to wait a long time to give this thing a final grade but regardless IMO even without that pick this trade equivalent to 3 first rounders and 1 second rounder would be at least a 9 on this poll.

If they land a Carter or Wilson and a stud like Harrison next year in addition to DJ Moore and a starting Center... it's a 10 folks.

That extra '25 2nd rounder is gravy - but if it turns into a 5th starter this one might go to 11!

Yeah - the cards still need to fall right for it to really be considered an all-time elite type deal. I took a different approach than most, assuming it would continue to go as well as it can. Others are waiting to see the results before rating it higher. I'm just an optimist by nature - and like I said it doesn't cost anything extra to be optimistic.

Even right now though I think this deal is really close and near the top of all-time deals if we consider DJ equal to a first rounder (I certainly do). A proven, experienced vet X who is only 25-26. There isn't even a sure X in this draft let alone a proven one. DJ with JF1 could get quite a bit better. Imagine that. But even if he stays an 1100 yard, 4-7 TD guy it is still a slam dunk in terms of support for JF1.

So anyway I consider this pretty darn close to Walker level - three 1sts and two 2nds (just a 2nd rounder short). But it might not be done then! If JF1 is doing great and the Panther struggles even more this year (likely, IMO), can you imagine the Bears having a top pick AGAIN next year and not needing a QB? That Panther first could turn into even more first rounders - and it could keep snowballing and turn into a Tunsil-type accumulation of players adding up over time.

And the award for most optimistic Chicago Bears fan goes to...

[IE]

I gave it Herschel Trade rating - a 10. Funny I made that reference just a while ago before I had even seen this poll. Of course that is just "potential" to get there and if it doesn't shake out anywhere remotely how I envision it will then I'll be willing to knock it down a couple of notches to just an 8 or so. But unless or until that happens, it is a 10.

Here's my thinking:

DJ Moore is absolutely equivalent to an in-year first round pick, and should be considered the 3rd first rounder in the trade. He's instantly the best WR the Bears have EVER had. And he's only 26 this season it's incredible. I thought the Bears were going to have to trade for a 30 year old to get that savvy vet X for JF1, or sort of limp along with WR2/3 types for one more year. I didn't even let myself dream about a trade for DJ because he's young and we've discussed here he would be a core part of a rebuild in Carolina. But nope - Poles pulled off the un-thinkable, and Carolina is left right now with rookie Young throwing to Terrance Marshall Jr. and Laviska. Poles was absolutely brilliant here - he dominated Carolina.

Carter is likely to fall. QBs are rising, stud CBs (and there are two of them) get picked high. There are a few highly regarded EDGE who should go early and Carter did just enough to cause himself to slip by a few teams that may have taken him earlier over Anderson or Wilson if he hadn't raised questions about himself. Fine with me - Carter is considered by MANY to be the top graded/top value player in this draft. He was mocked by many to go to the Bears at #1.... and the Bears are going to grab him at 9. Boom.

That extra 2nd rounder is right in the area where the best C candidates are coming off the board. I could even see Poles trading UP a pick or two to get Schmitz or who knows maybe Wypler. They're going to get their Center. Finally.

The '24 first rounder is going to be top 10 and put Poles in position to grab Harrison Jr. Which would be unreal - but highly potentially real!

The '25 2nd rounder ... who knows. We have to wait a long time to give this thing a final grade but regardless IMO even without that pick this trade equivalent to 3 first rounders and 1 second rounder would be at least a 9 on this poll.

If they land a Carter or Wilson and a stud like Harrison next year in addition to DJ Moore and a starting Center... it's a 10 folks.

That extra '25 2nd rounder is gravy - but if it turns into a 5th starter this one might go to 11!

Yeah - the cards still need to fall right for it to really be considered an all-time elite type deal. I took a different approach than most, assuming it would continue to go as well as it can. Others are waiting to see the results before rating it higher. I'm just an optimist by nature - and like I said it doesn't cost anything extra to be optimistic.

Even right now though I think this deal is really close and near the top of all-time deals if we consider DJ equal to a first rounder (I certainly do). A proven, experienced vet X who is only 25-26. There isn't even a sure X in this draft let alone a proven one. DJ with JF1 could get quite a bit better. Imagine that. But even if he stays an 1100 yard, 4-7 TD guy it is still a slam dunk in terms of support for JF1.

So anyway I consider this pretty darn close to Walker level - three 1sts and two 2nds (just a 2nd rounder short). But it might not be done then! If JF1 is doing great and the Panther struggles even more this year (likely, IMO), can you imagine the Bears having a top pick AGAIN next year and not needing a QB? That Panther first could turn into even more first rounders - and it could keep snowballing and turn into a Tunsil-type accumulation of players adding up over time.

And the award for most optimistic Chicago Bears fan goes to...

Hey Bro - that's what the offseason is for!

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Hey Bro - that's what the offseason is for!

I'll see your projection and raise you the Bears winning the Super Bowl and, thanks to Carolina, still having the number one overall pick!

Then next year they once again trade down to with a bad team, win the Super Bowl and still have the number one overall pick in 2025...

It will be an endless cycle of Chicago championships and massive draft hauls.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Bears trade No. 1 pick to Panthers: Experts hand out grades for Chicago

• ESPN: B+

• Pro Football Focus: A-

• CBS Sports: A-

• Sporting News: A+

• Sports Illustrated: A-

• For The Win: A

• The Ringer: Winners

• Bears Wire: A+

• Bleacher Report: Winners

• SB Nation: A

• Fansided: A+

• Clutch Points: A

Details: https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/be ... ert-picks/

[Rusty Trombagent]

Bears trade No. 1 pick to Panthers: Experts hand out grades for Chicago

• ESPN: B+

• Pro Football Focus: A-

• CBS Sports: A-

• Sporting News: A+

• Sports Illustrated: A-

• For The Win: A

• The Ringer: Winners

• Bears Wire: A+

• Bleacher Report: Winners

• SB Nation: A

• Fansided: A+

• Clutch Points: A

Details: https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/be ... ert-picks/

ESPN’s Seth Walder was the only one to give the Bears less than an “A” grade in this trade. Although, Walder also thought the Bears should’ve traded Fields and used the top pick on a quarterback.

Lol