If we’ve learned anything about Ryan Poles over the past three years, it’s to never count him out on the trade market. Despite being GM of a rebuilding Chicago Bears team, he has proven time and again that he is willing to make aggressive moves if he thinks a quality player is available. It was Chase Claypool in 2022. That was a bust. Last year, it was Montez Sweat, a massive success. There is no reason to think Poles won’t hunt for another potential deal this month as the trade deadline approaches.
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The key to figuring out how it may go depends on understanding his style. Since March 2023, Poles has been promoting a philosophy of targeting general managers who have overbearing owners or are in precarious positions regarding their job security. This can sometimes force them into making questionable decisions. Scoring D.J. Moore and a bounty of picks from Scott Fitterer and the Panthers last year is a perfect example. The same was true with Martin Mayhew in Washington for the Sweat trade.
In keeping with that approach, who should we be monitoring now?
Ryan Poles has a few potential suckers to exploit.
Trent Baalke (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Jaguars are in a really bad way. They are 0-4 with a head coach who appears to have lost the locker room. Owner Shad Khan is said to be furious. Baalke is in his fourth season running the team. There has been lots of criticism of his roster construction. If things go pear-shaped over the next few weeks, he might be forced to pull the rip cord.
Some interesting names who could be available:
- OT Cam Robinson
- OG Brandon Scherff
- OT Walker Little
The Chicago Bears obviously need offensive line help. Robinson and Scherff are quality veterans who could bring immediate stability and open up their run game. Little is a promising young talent who hasn’t been utilized well in Jacksonville.
Chris Grier (Miami Dolphins)
The Dolphins were optimistic after making the playoffs last year. However, things have taken a sharp turn for the worse since Tua Tagovailoa suffered another head injury. Miami owner Stephen Ross is known for being impatient. If things continue spiraling, he could induce a purge. That may force Grier to do some serious roster restructuring, which would require draft picks.
Some interesting names who could be available:
- C Liam Eichenberg
- S Jevon Holland
- WR Braxton Berrios
Eichenberg struggled a lot early in his career but seems to have settled in well at center. He’s not a great pass protector, but he is better than Coleman Shelton and is a better run blocker. Safety isn’t a pressing need for the Bears, but Holland is a Pro Bowl-caliber talent who can be a perfect long-term solution after Kevin Byard leaves. Berrios won’t help Chicago on offense. His strength comes on punt returns, where this team needs help.
Andrew Berry (Cleveland Browns)
Berry is in a different situation compared to others. His job security isn’t overly in question. That said, his team is off to a rough start and on the verge of falling into a pit. Cleveland is projected to be over the salary cap next year. That means Berry may have to unload one or two players to gain some flexibility.
Some interesting names who could be available:
- LT Jedrick Wills
- RG Wyatt Teller
- RB Nick Chubb
Wills was excellent in his first two seasons with the team and started every game in 2022. However, injuries have set him back over the past two. That said, he is still only 25, a powerful run blocker, and a tremendous athlete. His size and length would appeal to Ryan Poles. Teller is one of the best run-blocking guards in football. A true tone-setter. Chubb is just now returning from a season-ending injury last year. He would be a risk. Still, when healthy, he has the ability to take over football games.
