Chicago Bears Draft: 7 Positional needs in the 2023 Draft
By Evan Bruner
Chicago Bears Draft Need No.3: Defensive Tackle
Defensive tackle has always been a position that is more valuable than the raw data shows. Unless your name is Aaron Donald, double-digit sacks are a fantasy.
This led to Akiem Hicks’ presence often going underappreciated by the average fan. Hicks’ loss wouldn’t have been so devastating had the Bears found a formidable replacement. But that’s easier said than done, especially when Chicago was without a first-round draft pick.
This draft needs to be different. We all know how valuable the nose tackle is to Matt Eberflus’ scheme, and continuing to neglect that position would be indefensible.
Possible Targets
Jalen Carter
For months Carter seemed to be a lock for the top five. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you want to look at it, due to off-field concerns and a disappointing pro day, Carter’s draft stock appears to be plummeting.
Everything that made Carter such an appealing prospect in the first place remains true. He was an absolute game-wrecker at Georgia and has unmatched film. If Poles is willing to look past some of the baggage, he could come away with the steal of the draft.
Bryan Breese
Being a defensive tackle in the same draft as Jalen Carter almost isn’t fair. Still, Breese has his own set of enticing traits that make him a promising prospect. Breese displayed exemplary versatility at Clemson, playing in both gaps and outside.
What stops Breese from being a Carter-level prospect is his lack of creativity. He doesn’t have a true pass rush move-set and just attempts to out-muscle the offensive lineman. Breese has some upside, but taking him at nine is probably a stretch.
Calijah Kancey
For as rare as Carter’s explosiveness is for the position, it’s not entirely unheard of. In fact, there’s another player in this very class that has similar athletic ability.
Kancey catapulted his draft stock with a 4.67 40 time at 280 pounds. Where Kancey falls short is his size. 6 feet tall and 280 pounds is extremely small for the NFL, and Kancey’s play strength suffers as a result. Kancey isn’t a physically punishing tackle, but he doesn’t have to be, given his athleticism. He projects as a three-technique that has the speed to get to the backfield in a hurry.