The Chicago Bears trade down in the first round again in this full 2023 mock draft

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Chicago Bears, John Michael Schmitz / David Berding/GettyImages

Chicago Bears look to the offensive line again in the second round

2nd Round | 54th Pick | John Michael Schmitz, C - Minnesota

We keep hearing how Ryan Poles believes the team needs to build through the trenches. Well, he has done little to show for it outside of selecting multiple offensive linemen and one project defensive lineman last season. This year, the splash signing to date was Nate Davis. The 2023 NFL Draft class has some solid depth in the trenches on both sides of the ball. However, can a team count on starting that many rookies?

Well, since Poles has done little to further shoring up either side to this point, I am doing it for him. First, I added Myles Murphy to play defensive end. Next, I added Anton Harrison to compete for and hopefully win the right tackle spot. Now, I am adding a new center into the mix.

Drafting John Michael Schmitz to the roster allows the Chicago Bears to be a little more flexible with how they address the Cody Whitehair situation. If Nate Davis remains the right guard -- the only position he has ever played in the NFL -- and John Michael Schmitz proves he can lock down the center spot, then Cody Whitehair could be expendable. Then again, if Teven Jenkins' injury is a concern, it's possible they keep Whitehair around. No matter what, I don't see Whitehair being cut before June 1st. If he is a post-June 1 cut, the Bears save over $9 million in cap space.

John Michael Schmitz has also moved up and down prospect boards as of late. Pro Football Focus for example has him as the third-best center. I had him as the top center prior to the Senior Bowl and I still have him there today. If he isn't available, Joe Tippman or Luke Wypler would be my next choice for the position. I view both of these guys as late, second-round, or early, third-round picks. Schmitz is likely to go sooner and I'm not sure he falls to 54. If he does, I will be pissed if Poles passes on him. Here are more details on Schmitz as a prospect.

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