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

The Chicago Bears look to another developmental defensive prospect

5th Round | 136th Pick | Brandon Joseph, S - Notre Dame

Eddie Jackson had a rebound year from a takeaway perspective in 2022. He is coming off a foot injury and the Chicago Bears should look to find a developmental replacement for him. Brandon Joseph can be that guy.

Joseph projects as a free safety in the NFL. He's the type of player who loves to read a defense and get his hands on the ball. He will serve best as a player who can freelance a little - similar to Jackson. Who better to learn from than one of the better free safeties in the NFL? Joseph could also step in as we have seen DeAndre Houston-Carson do over the years should Jackson not be able to stay on the field.

In college, Joseph had a career year with Northwestern in 2020. He had six interceptions that year as a red-shirt freshman. His numbers dipped in 2021 and he transfered to Notre Dame to finish out his final year before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. I'm not confident that Joseph falls to the Bears at 136 as I have him with an early fourth-round grade and would even consider him in the late third. That said, this is how this mock draft fell and I jumped at the value he brings. Value is something Ryan Poles is making clear to fans and others that he is prioritizing this offseason.