The Chicago Bears trade down multiple times in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft

Chicago Bears Pick No. 56: Jalin Hyatt, WR – Tennessee

I’ll be honest, it was difficult for me to take Jalin Hyatt here. After seeing what Velus Jones did for Tennessee and then his inability to make a positive impact this season, it made me weary of Hyatt. Hyatt is rising up draft boards and might not be available at this point in the draft. I currently have him higher than Josh Downs on my draft board (that could drastically change before April).

Like Velus Jones, Jalin Hyatt is a bit of a one-year wonder. This season he has caught 67 balls for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. He isn’t a special teams wonder like Jones. He also shouldn’t be viewed in the same light as Jones because don’t be fooled, Hyatt is an actual receiver. He put on about 10 to 15 pounds between his sophomore and junior season. This is when he exploded. While facing a top-notch Alabama defense, Hyatt put himself on the map with five touchdowns and 200+ yards receiving.

I’d be perfectly fine with Ryan Poles taking two swings at wide receiver in the first two rounds should he trade down the way I did in this mock draft. If he can land Josh Downs and Jalin Hyatt I’d be surprised. However, this is how the mock draft fell in the simulator. I’d be fine if we wanted to be a little more realistic and flip Hyatt and Downs. Either way, landing these two would open up the offense even more for Justin Fields and Luke Getsy. Velus Jones can be your primary punt and kick returner and not worry about learning the actual playbook.