With the underclassmen pool of potential draftees set, the only question mark in a mock draft is the seeding of the final eight playoff teams. Quarterback moves will likely dictate the offseason and the draft, but here is a mock draft that predicts team trades and some free-agent moves.
Chicago Bears trade back twice and still end up with the best defensive player
The Houston Texans send the second overall pick, their second-round pick this year, and a second-round pick next year to the Chicago Bears in order to move up one spot and select Alabama’s Bryce Young. A Heisman winner in 2021, Young has the accuracy and athleticism to succeed at the next level, despite his undersized frame.
The Indianapolis Colts move up two spots and send the Chicago Bears the fourth pick, a first-round pick next year, and their third-round pick this year in order to get their quarterback in Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Stroud is an extremely accurate passer, has the size to be physical at the next level, and played his best ball in college on the biggest of stages.
The Carolina Panthers send their own first-round pick, their second-round pick this year, and a first-round pick in 2024 to move up and select Kentucky’s Will Levis. Levis has the size of a traditional NFL quarterback, and with a big arm, should be able to stretch the field vertically with receiver D.J. Moore. Having played in the SEC, Levis knows what it is like to compete against elite defensive talent.
After trading back twice, the Chicago Bears select the first defensive player in Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. Anderson has the explosiveness to impact the defense as a pass rusher and a run stopper and has the speed and athleticism to bend around some of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks find their defensive lineman of the future in Georgia’s Jalen Carter, who should fit in perfectly as a 3-4 defensive end in Seattle. A violent, explosive pass rusher, Carter will almost always demand a double team up front, creating one on one opportunities for the other pass rushers in Seattle.