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The 2023 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, but the order at the top of the draft is getting a shakeup as of Friday.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears are officially trading out of the No. 1 pick for a package of assets. The team moving up to the top spot is reportedly the Carolina Panthers who previously held the No. 9 overall pick.
Major draft shakeup ? ? ?
Sources say the #Bears are trading the No. 1 overall pick to the #Panthers in exchange for big-time compensation including multiple 1st rounders. Chicago loads up and lands at No. 9, while Carolina can draft its QB of the future. pic.twitter.com/DNvYMStoxd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2023
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the compensation packing going back to Chicago includes the No. 9 and No. 61 picks in this year’s draft, a first-round pick next year (2024) and a second-round pick in 2025. Wide receiver DJ Moore is also included per Schefter.
Compensation update, per sources: Bears trading No. 1 overall pick to Carolina for:
?pick No. 9
?pick No. 61
?a first-round pick in 2024
?a second-round pick in 2025
?WR DJ Moore pic.twitter.com/hHrHn1UIR2— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2023
While the picks are the most notable assets for the Bears to receive, Moore also provides a solid wide receiver for Justin Fields to work with. Moore has just over 5,000 receiving yards in 5 NFL seasons, including 888 yards and a career-high 7 touchdowns during 2022.
Paul’s outlook for the No. 1 pick
The Carolina Panthers are rebuilding under new head coach Frank Reich after posting a losing record each of the past 5 seasons, including an 11-27 mark under Matt Rhule. While a major deal, it certainly signifies Carolina is sold on one prospect in this draft, the question is: Which player is that?
Carolina could certainly surprise some folks and go for one of the top-impact defenders in this draft, but most teams would only make this type of massive trade in a deal for a quarterback. Bryce Young is certainly still in the mix to be the top overall selection but a couple of other players shined at the NFL Combine.
Florida’s Anthony Richardson showed out with his elite physical talents while Ohio State’s CJ Stroud put his impressive accuracy on full display. If the Panthers were watching for something specific from one of those guys, it’s possible the team saw enough in Indianapolis to make the move.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
