Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft: First-round tiered rankings

Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft Tier 5: Reaches

These are players that are projected as mid-to-late first-round picks rather than the top ten selections. If Chicago really wants any of these players in, they’d be best suited to trade back

Broderick Jones, OT - Georgia

While Broderick Jones offers an enticing upside, he is simply too raw to go inside the top ten. He only started 19 games in college and needs to improve his mechanics and technique considerably.

Ryan Poles has shown a predilection for players with elite athletic ability, and Jones checks that box. But he is lacking in enough other areas to raise concern. Simply put, there are better tackles available and ones that require far less work.

Darnell Wright, OT - Tennessee

Darnell Wright has been one of the biggest risers in the later stages of the pre-draft process. He has great mirroring ability as a pass blocker and play strength. 

However, Wright lacks the traits typically seen in blue-chip offensive line prospects. He is inexperienced playing in a traditional run-blocking scheme and has solid but unspectacular foot speed. 

Wright is a very solid prospect who should make for a solid pro right tackle, but he doesn’t really fit what the Bears appear to be looking for since he may never be a left tackle.

Calijah Kancey, DT - Pitt

With Jalen Carter likely off the board at nine, Chicago could go after Calijah Kancey. He has one of the most explosive first steps you will ever see from the defensive tackle position. 

Though Kancey isn’t the gap-sound tackle some teams search for, his potential as a penetrator puts him in play for the Bears. Even with that in mind, taking any defensive tackle not named Jalen Carter in the top ten isn’t recommended.