As we get ready for the start of the 2023 NFL draft we will be looking into just who may be on the board when the Chicago Bears pick. As rumors have been swirling it is a good time to reset and take a look at what the top eight pics may look like.
1. Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
When the Carolina Panthers traded up to number one there was a lot of debate over who the team would select. First, the odds were leaning toward C.J. Stroud, but now it appears that Bryce Young is the heavy favorite to be the number one overall pick.
It does make sense that the odds shifted after the team met with Bryce Young at his pro day. He did not work out at the NFL Combine, so getting to see him throw up close at his pro day may have driven home the difference between Young and Stroud.
While the Panthers could still go with C.J. Stroud, everything is pointing in the other direction. Stroud apparently is not as highly valued by any of the other teams, and it appears there are many teams in on Bryce Young. If the NFL consensus is that Young is the clear draw of this draft, it may be more of a no-brainer than some fans think
Bryce Young knows he will be one of the top two picks in the draft, and only worked out with the Texans and Panthers. If the Panthers do pass, he will go second. If they take Young, then what happens?
2. Houston Texans - Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
All reports are that the NFL is not as high on C.J. Stroud as the rest of the media landscape. When have we seen this before? Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins coming from the same offense. That makes it a bit easier to believe. Most thought it would be Kyler Murray then Haskings, and most thought that FIelds would go right after Trevor Lawrence.
Now, most think that Stroud will be second after Bryce Young. This does not happen. One other crazy twist is that this is not Will Anderson, either. The consensus for months was that Anderson was the obvious option here, but as we have gotten closer to the draft, reports are that Houston is higher on Tyree Wilson.
If you watch Will Anderson you know his floor is high, but his ceiling is questionable, and the team may value the added size dimensions that Wilson has. Beyond that, if you recall last year Derek Stingley was a late riser in the media before Houston did indeed take him. Like Stingley last year, the Texans may be leaking their interest in Tyree Wilson. Do not be surprised if he goes second.
3. Las Vegas Raiders Trade for Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
There has already been a twist, and maybe a couple of surprises in this draft. This could be another. It may not be a big shock that the Arizona Cardinals are trading down because they have advertised the pick is for sale.
It is not too surprising the Raiders traded up, either. They do have Jimmy Garopolo, but you know that is just a short-term option. It is easy for the Raiders to move from seven to three, and the Cardinals can grab an asset and stay in the top ten.
The surprise may be Anthony Richardson over C.J. Stroud. The reason is that the Raiders want to swing for the fences here. They know that with Garopolo they can draft a QB who needs to sit a year.
We also know that Josh McDaniels once drafted Tim Tebow, and also tried to make a run base offense around Cam Newton work. He believes in the idea of building around a quarterback who can shoulder the load.
The situation is actually as perfect as you can get for Richardson. He can sit a year, he can be with an offensive mind who is prepared for him, and he presents a high upside for the Raiders that creates buzz after this season.
4. Indianapolis Colts - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The fall of C.J. Stoud continues. The Indianapolis Colts have been linked to Will Levis, and would not be shocking if they valued him over C.J. Stroud. If that is the case, it will be interesting to see how far he falls. Even if Stroud goes here, the question would be when someone comes up and gets Will Levis.
For now, we are going with Will Levis. The one thing that Shane Steichen has seen with his quarterbacks is that if they have the physical upside, he can untap the most out of them. Stroud is more accurate right now, but Levis has a bigger arm, and a bigger body overall. He may provide more as a rusher.
The Colts want to swing for the fences and they feel that they have an offensive coach who can get the most out of a home run swing. So, WIll Levis over C.J. Stroud will become a highly debated topic in Indianapolis and we will see what happens next.
5. Seattle Seahawks - Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
Now that the big run on quarterbacks is gone, the question is what the Seahawks do. They could go with C.J. Stroud, but after signing Geno Smith that seems unlikely. With Tyree Wilson going second overall, the team can now debate between Will Anderson and Jalen Carter. This was something Bears fans were debating back in December, and now the Seahawks get to do it at pick five.
The reason for Will Anderson is that he is the clear cut safer pick. The Texans may like the ceiling of Wilson over Anderson, but Will Anderson is clearly the safest pick in this draft. He is a power player who plays intensely and hustles from whistle to whistle.
He is going to be a great run defender, and the only reasonable question is whether his upside is 10 sacks or higher, or if he can only create pass rush on stunts, twists, and the occasional win on power. Still, he is going to be a producer. Jalen Carter has more upside and could be the 10-sack-plus player. However, his floor is a huge question, and the Seahawks have seen a few recent picks falter with questions. If it was anyone else but Will Anderson, they may go with Jalen Carter, but this pick is too safe.
6. Detroit Lions - Devon Witherspoon - CB, Illinois
People wonder if the Detroit Lions will go with Jalen Carter here. However, when you are thinking of the Detroit Lions culture, you are thinking of Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon will hit you, will get his hands on the ball, and then he will tell you about it.
For his size, nobody in the draft plays tougher, and nobody brings more swagger. If Dan Campbell played cornerback, he would have his heart on his sleeve like Devon Witherspoon. Beyond that, the team moved on from Jeff Okudah, almost signaling that this will be the pick.
The Lions' secondary was awful last season, but they like the scheme, and Witherspoon fits perfectly into the scheme. It is hard to see the Lions passing on Devon Witherspoon here.
7. Arizona Cardinals - Christian Gonzalez - CB, Oregon
The only reason Devon Witherspoon could possibly fall is that Christian Gonzalez may be as good, if not better than Witherspoon. The two play a different styles. Witherspoon is more aggressive and intense, and Gonzalez is more fluid. Beyond that. Gonzalez is taller, longer, and faster than Witherspoon, which has to matter.
The Arizona Cardinals are starting from square one with a new GM and head coach. Their previous GM had a DUI on his record, and it is hard to see the new GM build his new era around Jalen Carter.
The best player on the board at this spot is Gonzalez. He checks every box you want from a cornerback and combines the safe floor and the high upside of a cornerback who can follow any type of receiver all over the field.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
We may have one big final surprise in this mock draft. However, it would not be shocking if the Atlanta Falcons were all-in on Bijan Robinson. When you look at how the Falcons have added pieces this offseason, they really set themselves up where they can go in plenty of directions.
With the top edge rushers and cornerbacks are gone, they can debate offensive line, Jalen Carter, or Bijan Robinson. They have multiple first-round picks on their offensive line, including both tackles, so it is hard to see them all in there. Jalen Carter could be the move, but we know his questions.
For the Falcons they could go with their highest-graded player, which is Robinson. When you think of the Falcons they are a run-first team. They also drafted Drake London and Kyle Pitts in the top ten, so they just need one more top-ten skill player to complete the trio. In drafting Pitts they showed that they will take an elite talent and do not care about positional value. The same can be applied to them drafting Bijan Robinson here.
9. What are the Chicago Bears options
This could end up being as good of a situation for the Chicago Bears as you can ask for. First, they can go offensive line, and they would take the first name on the board. If they wanted Peter Skoronski, he is there, but they also have the real left tackle options as well.
Jalen Carter is still on the board in this situation. That is an obvious option, and so is someone like Lukas Van Ness. Lastly, the big name is C.J. Stroud. Maybe it is Stroud, maybe it is Will Levis, or it could be Anthony Richardson. Still, the odds are growing that a quarterback could be here.
This opens up the gates for a trade-down as well. Any team who wants the top tackle, the top player, or the top quarterback left can come up and get them. This is a great spot to be in.