Ryan Poles’ Leverage With The #1 Pick Just Skyrocketed

Ryan Poles is already getting calls about the #1 overall pick. Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport confirmed this. The Chicago Bears GM appears to have lots of leverage. Several teams in the top 10 need a quarterback. Houston is right behind them at #2, and they’re guaranteed to take one. That means if somebody wants a specific guy in this class, they’ll need the Bears’ pick to get him. The only thing required by this point was for them to have a good showing at the scouting combine. Poles hasn’t been disappointed.

Bryce Young of Alabama eased concerns about his weight by coming in at 204 lbs. Will Levis showed off his big arm during throwing drills with some proper darts. However, the star of the show was undoubtedly Anthony Richardson. The Florida quarterback set Lucas Oil Stadium on fire by breaking quarterback records in vertical and broad jumps. Then he put an exclamation point on that with a ridiculous 4.44 in the 40-yard dash at 6’4, 244 lbs. If people weren’t aware he was a freak of nature before, they are now.

Ryan Poles got more leverage by doing nothing.

Now the phone calls from teams wanting to move up may not be only about Young. There is a strong possibility some of them will be for Richardson. When it comes to pure talent, the Gators standout is the best in this draft. He’s big, strong, fast, and boasts a big arm. The biggest criticism of him is his spotty accuracy and inconsistency from the pocket. History shows teams are willing to look past that when the physical upside is so immense. The same criticisms were made about Cam Newton. That worked out pretty well for Carolina.

It doesn’t matter which QB goes #1 overall. From Ryan Poles’ perspective, it only matters which fetches the highest price in a trade. Maybe Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard, who loves traits, is afraid Houston will get Richardson and decides to move up. Maybe Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels, who loves quick processors, loves Young and is afraid Houston will take him. Either scenario works for the Bears, provided those teams pay the necessary price. Poles was already in a great spot. It just keeps getting better.