Carolina Panthers acquire first overall pick from Chicago Bears

The NFL offseason is fully in the swing of things and the first big trade has been finalized. The Chicago Bears have traded the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for a bevy of picks and star wide receiver D.J. Moore.

On the surface, this trade appears to really favor the Bears. They were rumored to be shopping the pick for a while and this is an ideal haul for Chicago. Not only were they able to get the ninth overall pick in return, but they also will receive Carolina’s first and second round pick next season. And that’s not even considering D.J. Moore, one of the most underrated receivers in the league.

Moore will immediately be the Bears’ best receiving option. While the offense flashed at times last season, they clearly didn’t surround young quarterback Justin Fields with enough talent and he frequently had to resort to running the ball when his receivers couldn’t get open. With Moore running routes, the Bear’s offense is substantially stronger and this addition should go a long way in the development of Fields.

While this trade doesn’t make the Bears a Super Bowl contender, it does raise the profile of the team and they still sit at +350 to win the NFC North next year. Although they finished last season with a 3-14 record, they should be improved and it’s worth betting on them to win the division. As of right now, they have the lowest odds in the division and that is not right. If Justin Fields and his new crop of receivers work out, Chicago will have a borderline elite offense and a capable defense. At +350 with Bovada, that’s solid value considering the weak division they play in.

For the Panthers, this trade signifies a clear rebuild. They were a respectable 7-10 last season but were never really a threat to make the playoffs. This deal will reset their timeline and keep them from competing for at least next season. While they gave up a lot, it won’t matter if they nail the first overall pick. They are guaranteed to take a quarterback with the pick and if that player becomes a star, everything they gave up will be worth it. It’s unclear which quarterback they will take at this point in time, but as the draft approaches, we will certainly get more details on who they are leaning towards.
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