Hey Jerry! Trade the Pick

For months, Bears fans have agonized over who Chicago would pick in the first round of the draft. Grizzly Detail has been right there with you, hoping that the Bears would make a wise pick with their first rounder. Should they go with an offensive lineman? Which one? Maybe we need a receiver or a defensive tackle more!

But after careful studying of Jerry Angelo's record with first rounders, we are on board with Dan Pompei's suggestion of trading the pick, because Jerry Angelo is terrible at first-round picks. No, seriously. In 10 seasons with the Bears, Greg Olsen and Tommie Harris are the only first-rounders that have done well with the team.

On the other hand, Angelo has been a genius at picking up talent in later rounds. Lance Briggs, Chris Harris, Corey Graham, Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox have all come from the third round or later. He has an ability to scour through players and find unknown players who other teams have dismissed. For example, the Packers picked Nick Barnett in the first round of the 2003 draft. Briggs was left until the third round. Briggs has six Pro Bowls and averages 93 tackles per season. Barnett hasn't been to a single Pro Bowl, and averages 58.

The lockout means that the only thing the Bears can trade for is other picks, so do it Jerry. Trade the pick. While it's true that Gabe Carimi or Mike Pouncey could make an immediate impact with the Bears, your trading history tells us that they are just as likely to rupture their Achilles while taking out the trash. Since you're better at the later rounds, you may as well own it and add some young players that the Bears can develop into what they want.

Trade the pick, Jerry.