Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Building for the future in ’23
The Chicago Bears have done quite well this offseason building up their roster, but the 2023 NFL Draft is a much different beast. General Manager Ryan Poles is not playing around. The Bears traded down with the Carolina Panthers and moved all the way down to the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Chicago is clearly trying to build around Justin Fields, and some of the additions Poles had made this offseason are evidence of that. Now, their focus turns to the 2023 NFL Draft where there a still some clear holes for the Bears to fill.
For this mock draft, we’ll use PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator.
Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Building for the future in ’23
9th overall: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Bears don’t move from ninth overall even while presented with two additional trades offers to move even further down. They nab perhaps the best offensive lineman prospect in the draft in Skoronski and stick him on the right side of the offensive line, but don’t rule out him playing on the interior, either.
53rd overall: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
Even though Justin Fields has and still should be the focal point of the Chicago Bears’ moves this offseason, they still need to continue to address the defense. They had two high draft picks in the secondary last year and grab an insane athlete in Keion White to stick on the edge.
61st overall: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Even though the Chicago Bears appear to have a solid core of pass catchers, they could still benefit to add to their wide receiver room. The Chase Claypool experience is not off to a good start, so Rice might be able to come into that role at some point down the road.
Chicago resets one of their wide receiver contracts with this selection.
64th overall: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
The Bears continue to address their offensive line with the selection of Jaelyn Duncan out of Maryland. Braxton Jones wasn’t terrible during his rookie season but perhaps the Bears could find a better solution going forward in Duncan.
I think no matter what their true positions are, the best and most talented offensive linemen will take the field for them in week one, and teams can never have too many hogs up front.
101st overall: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
The Bears should continue to put young offensive pieces around Justin Fields. Devon Achane is a talented but small running back from Texas A&M who could share the backfield with D’Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert in 2023.
The Bears do need to still add to their RB room, and Achane is evidence of that.
133rd overall: Ricky Stromberg, OC, Arkansas
136th overall: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
148th overall: SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pittsburgh
218th overall: Jalen Redmond, DT, Oklahoma
258th overall: Jerome Carvin, OG, Tennessee
Their remaining selections are clearly continuing to address some of their biggest needs along the offensive line and on the defensive front.
Games in the NFL are won in the trenches, and the Chicago Bears certainly addressed the trenches in this mock draft.