The NFL has existed for more than a hundred years, offering numerous opportunities for groundbreaking achievements during its draft events. Despite its long history, there remain chances to accomplish unprecedented feats. One such opportunity looms for the Chicago Bears in the upcoming draft. Currently, there are two prevailing beliefs surrounding the team: they will likely select quarterback Caleb Williams as the #1 overall pick, followed by potentially picking one of the top wide receivers at #9.
The significance of this plan may not be fully appreciated by many. Throughout the entire Super Bowl era, there have been only three instances where a team drafted a quarterback and a wide receiver in the first round:
- 1968: Greg Landry and Earl McCullouch (Detroit)
- 2004: J.P. Losman and Lee Evans (Buffalo)
- 2010: Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas (Denver)
Surprisingly, none of these instances saw both players being selected within the top 10 picks. Therefore, if GM Ryan Poles follows through with this expected strategy, it would mark the first occurrence of such a feat in NFL history.
However, the realization of this historic opportunity depends on the priorities of the Chicago Bears. While the top three receivers in this draft class are considered top talents, there are considerations regarding the team’s future, particularly regarding aging players like Keenan Allen. Additionally, the Bears have a limited number of picks in this draft, which might prompt Poles to consider trading down from the #9 pick to acquire more selections.
Ultimately, Poles’ decision hinges on his evaluation of the available receivers. If he believes they have the potential to become star players, staying at #9 might be the best course of action. However, if he’s not as enthusiastic about the options at that spot, he might opt to trade down. It’s a remarkable prospect to consider that a team known for its defensive prowess could make NFL history by selecting a quarterback and a receiver within the top 10 picks of the same draft.
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