Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft: First-round tiered rankings
By Evan Bruner
Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft Tier 2: Safe Picks
This second tier is reserved for players that are more likely to be on the board at nine than the aforementioned Carter and Wilson but are still high-end prospects that fill positional needs.
Normally, I try to have multiple players in this category, but after going through player evaluations, there’s only one guy I feel truly fits this criterion for Chicago.
Paris Johnson Jr., OT - Ohio State
In a way, Paris Johnson’s game is a balance between some of the top tackle prospects in this class. He has more upside than a guy like Peter Skoronski, and is much more refined and pro-ready than Braxton Jones.
Johnson has the elite foot speed and the athleticism to recover when he’s out of position. He still appears to be filling into his frame, and at 6’6 with 36-inch arms, he has the measurables to be a prototypical left tackle.
There could be some growing pains as a rookie, but Johnson is an all-encompassing prospect that has the dimensions to play either tackle position. He has become one of the betting favorites to be taken by Chicago, and it’s easy to see why.
Selecting Johnson would go a long way to bolstering Chicago’s offensive line and filling the gaping hole at tackle.