Bears Predicted to Trade 2 First-Rounders for Elite Edge Rusher

The Chicago Bears have flexibility heading into the first round of the NFL draft later this month, including the assets to move up for arguably the best player in the 2025 class. 

Chicago traded a second-round pick to the Washington Commanders for pass rusher Montez Sweat in 2023 and then extended him on a four-year deal worth $98 million . The Bears also signed former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo out of free agency last month as a bookend on the other side of the line. 

However, the team still has a clear need for dynamic and disruptive play off the edge. With that in mind, Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus authored a trade pitch in his latest mock draft published on Monday, April 7, in which the Bears flip the Nos. 10, 39 and 148 picks this year as well as a first-rounder in 2026 to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the No. 2 selection, where Chicago then drafts Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter. 

"The Bears evidently believe their roster can win now and have been aggressive to maximize that opportunity. What’s more aggressive than jumping into the top three to grab the best pass rusher in the class?" Cameron wrote . "Dayo Odeyingbo is a solid veteran signing, but Carter’s 93.0 PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets would raise Chicago's defense into the upper echelon and is well worth the price needed to acquire him."