Bears would have a hard time trading down from No. 3 draft pick

After casting a wide net in free agency without necessarily landing a big fish, the Bears turn their attention to the draft, where they figure to be able to add a difference-maker with the No. 3 pick.

The Bears have signed 12 players since the start of the new league year, with quarterback Mike Glennon getting the most guaranteed money ($18.5 million) and only four players getting longer than a two-year deal. Glennon, tight end Dion Sims, safety Quintin Demps and cornerback Marcus Cooper signed for three seasons.

One of the primary questions Bears fans have is whether general manager Ryan Pace can turn the No. 3 pick into more than one difference-maker. The idea of trading down and adding picks is intriguing, especially if the Bears don’t have to move far down in Round 1. Finding a trade partner could give Pace extra picks to fill numerous needs on the roster, especially if the Bears don’t deem a quarterback worthy of selecting at No. 3 to bring along while starting Glennon, who has only $2.5 million guaranteed in his contract beyond this year.

Realistically, it’s unlikely Pace will receive an offer worthy of pulling the trigger on before the draft begins April 27. The team holding the No. 3 pick has traded down eight times since 1980 and only three times since 2000.

It has happened twice in the last five drafts. Both deals turned into major losers for the teams moving up. In 2013 the Dolphins traded up to select pass rusher Dion Jordan, who has three career sacks, and in 2012 the Browns traded up for running back Trent Richardson. They’re two of the biggest draft busts in the last decade. The Redskins connected in 2000 when they moved up to pick left tackle Chris Samuels, a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

For the same reasons Bears fans are eager to see Pace turn the No. 3 pick into a bounty of draft picks, enabling him to fill a variety of needs, other teams will be hesitant to present such an offer. They’re not interested in forking over a first-round pick and much more to get only one player. Plus, if there was a player that attractive at No. 3, the Bears would have to think long and hard about what that player could do for them.

“Unless someone truly wants a quarterback, that’s the only reason you come up,” a general manager said. “If you are desperate to land a guy, that’s a trade you make.”

Teams will need to set their sights on the first or second pick if they are truly concerned about getting their man. Most believe the Browns will select Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the top pick. The 49ers are up next with needs across the board — including quarterback — for the new general manager/coach pairing of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan.

If the Browns and 49ers both pass on quarterbacks, could a team coveting one of the top passers check with the Bears on a deal? That’s the likeliest scenario for a trade down, and such a situation probably would not materialize until the Bears are on the clock.

Since 1980, there has not been a trade up to No. 3 for a quarterback. Teams moved up to draft cornerback Shawn Springs (1997), defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (1990) and running backs Garrison Hearst (1993), Alonzo Highsmith (1987) and Curt Warner (1983). Kennedy had a Hall of Fame career, and Springs was excellent for a long run. Warner had two 1,400-yard seasons.

Most recently, the Raiders received the 12th pick and a second-round pick (No. 42) from the Dolphins for No. 3 in 2013. The Browns moved up just one spot the year before for Richardson, giving the Vikings the fourth pick and selections in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds. The Bears’ potential return for No. 3 would depend on where the trade partner is coming from.

This draft offers depth at cornerback, running back and safety. There isn’t a lockdown left tackle who projects as a high pick, the kind of player who could motivate teams to consider a rich trade offer for the No. 3 pick.

It’s a fun talking point to wonder if Pace can collect a bonanza of draft picks in a trade-down scenario, but odds are stacked against that happening. When the Bears go on the clock at No. 3, they better be prepared to pick a player they love.

Third’s the charm?

What does the No. 3 draft pick bring in return? Here’s a history of trade-down scenarios for No. 3 since 1980:

1983: Oilers traded No. 3 (Curt Warner) to Seahawks for No. 9 (Bruce Matthews), second-rounder (Keith Bostic) and third-rounder (Chris Dressel).

1987: Bills traded No. 3 (Alonzo Highsmith) to Oilers for No. 8 (Shane Conlan) and second-rounder (Ricky Reynolds, drafted by Buccaneers as part of another trade).

1990: Patriots traded No. 3 (Cortez Kennedy) and second-rounder (Terry Wooden) to Seahawks for No. 8 (Chris Singleton), No. 10 (Ray Agnew), third-rounder (Jimmie Jones, drafted by Cowboys) and 1991 fourth-rounder (David Rocker, drafted by Oilers).

1993: Jets traded No. 3 (Garrison Hearst) to Cardinals for No. 4 (Marvin Jones) and Johnny Johnson.

1997: Falcons traded No. 3 (Shawn Springs) and third-rounder (Frank Middleton, drafted by Buccaneers) to Seahawks for No. 11 (Michael Booker), second-rounder (Byron Hanspard), third-rounder (O.J. Santiago) and fourth-rounder (Henri Crockett).

2000: 49ers traded No. 3 (Chris Samuels) to Redskins for No. 12 (Shaun Ellis, drafted by Jets) and No. 24 (Ahmed Plummer).

2012: Vikings traded No. 3 (Trent Richardson) to Browns for No. 4 (Matt Kalil), fourth-rounder (Jarius Wright), fifth-rounder (Robert Blanton) and seventh-rounder (Scott Solomon, drafted by Titans).

2013: Raiders traded No. 3 (Dion Jordan) to Dolphins for No. 12 (D.J. Hayden) and second-rounder (Menelik Watson).

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