Chicago Bears Draft Grade: ESPN | B+
Up next is one of the big guns. ESPN gave the Chicago Bears an even better grade than the New York Post -- a B+. Mel Kiper was the author behind the grades. He seems to have taken the entire situation into account. Kiper speaks about the first trade with the Panthers that acquired multiple future draft picks, the 61st pick and D.J. Moore. Ryan Poles did not hold onto that 61st pick for long. Instead, he traded it to the Jacksonville Jaguars along with pick number 136 to move up to 56. With the 56th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears drafted cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson.
Mel Kiper speaks to the Darnell Wright pick at No. 10. He believes that Wright is the best right tackle in the draft class. It is important to note, Kiper did not say offensive tackle. He also does not speak to any of the traits Wright brings to the table, but I'll point out that he was the best blocking offensive tackle in the draft -- Peter Skoronski is a guard.
Mel Kiper then goes into the Day 2 picks and talks about how Gervon Dexter (53) and Zacch Pickens (64) were reaches who should have been taken a round later. This is when I'll point out again that Kiper is not someone I respect from a rankings standpoint. He had Adetomiwa Adebawore in his top 20 and he went in the fourth round. A player I had valued as a late Round 2 or early Round 3 pick. Looks like I should be working for ESPN instead.
Mel Kiper was a fan of the Day 3 picks though, speaking highly about Roschon Johnson, Tyler Scott and Noaw Sewell. He also spoke highly of Ryan Poles for his vision and plan.