Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft: First-round tiered rankings

Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft Tier 4: Do they really fill a need?

This tier is pretty self-explanatory. There are several players that have been linked to the Bears who are solid prospects, but don’t fix their biggest weaknesses. 

Devon Witherspoon, CB - Illinois 

Of all the film I’ve watched this spring, there isn’t a single player’s tape I found more enjoyable than Devon Witherspoon’s.  He plays much bigger than his listed size and has some of the best physicality I’ve seen from the position. He has the traits to play both man and zone schemes at the next level and is a plus athlete. 

The problem is the Bears already have two younger cornerbacks, and even though Witherspoon has the potential to be better than both of them, corner just isn’t high enough in the Bears’ needs right now. 

Christian Gonzalez, CB - Oregon

Though a different player than Witherspoon stylistically speaking, the case for and against Christian Gonzalez is close to identical. An uber-talented player with immense upside, but doesn’t fill the Bears’ biggest holes. For as fun as it would be to have an athlete like Gonzalez in Chicago, it doesn’t feel practical. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR - Ohio State

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s draft stock has steadily risen over the last couple of months. He has now emerged as the favorite for the first receiver taken in the draft.

Reuniting Smith-Njigba with Fields would be exciting, but taking a wide receiver at nine, after getting D.J Moore, and trading what ended up being the 32nd overall pick for Chase Claypool would border on overcompensating.