You have heard the usual suspects as options for the Chicago Bears with the ninth overall pick. How about some sleepers? These are players who may end up falling to day three or at least be on those fringes of day two. However, they are a fit for the Bears and would be nice at the right time in the 2023 NFL draft. Who are some options?
Chicago Bears Sleepers in the 2023 NFL Draft
10. Oklahoma RT Wanya Morris is an underrated tackle option for Chicago Bears
Wanya Morris is a big-time sleeper because he mainly only has one season of starting work. Well, that is not necessarily true. He actually started two seasons at left tackle for the Tennessee Volunteers. However, he struggled and had to transfer to Oklahoma, where he rode the bench in 2021 as a reserve. He got back into the starting lineup as a right tackle in 2022, and it turned out that the move was for the best.
Morris was back on the NFL draft radar, and was invited to the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl after a strong final season as a right tackle. From there, he injured his hamstring running the 40-yard dash, so his athletic profile is incomplete for teams, and it is another added question that makes him a sleeper.
Wanya Morris still has some technical flaws to workout, but he is a right tackle who packs a serious punch in the run game. Right off of the bat he sounds like a fit, and the draft cost could allow the Bears to take a left tackle high, and then double dip with Morris on the right side.
9. Penn State WR Parker Washington is a sleeper for the Chicago Bears
When you think of what Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles preach out of players, you think of Parker Washington. When you think of players being called out for a lack of hustle and the players being praised for playing whistle to whistle, you think of Parker Washington.
Washington is shorter and slower for a wide receiver, but he also just gets the job done. He makes the tough catches and makes plays away from his body and in traffic. Parker Washington also scraps and claws for yards. He has natural contact balance but also dives, and pushes for every last yard.
Beyond that, he can return punts, and that makes him someone who can replace Dante Pettis immediately. His size, and speed will not wow you, and he is probably just a chain-moving slot in the NFL. Still, that role has value for a reason, and the Chicago Bears could use him for a couple of roles. This makes him a great day-three option.
8. Alabama OL Tyler Steen could fit Chicago Bears
Tyler Steen may have played himself up into the day two range, and he may be too good to be a sleeper. However, when you think of Ryan Poles saying that he wants to get the best lineman and figure out positions later, you think of Tyler Steen.
Steen started at left tackle for Vanderbilt before transferring to Alabama last season. His best season was in the new facilities, and the big-time coaching staff at Alabama, and it makes you think that his best is still ahead of him.
Steen was great at the Senior Bowl, and brought intrigue when he took snaps at all five offensive line spots, yes that includes center. Tyler Steen showed versatility at the NFL Combine as well.
Steen is expected to get a chance at tackle and fail to the interior. His length is not great, but he has longer arms than Peter Skoronski and may be a consolation prize to that type of versatility. Still, the snaps at center really intrigue. The question will be when Tyler Steen gets selected. If he does fall into the fourth round, he has Chicago Bears written all over him.
7. Charlotte WR Grant DuBose is a deep sleeper for Chicago Bears
Grant DuBose is a big-time sleeper who should be available on day three. That is becoming more likely when the Chicago Bears will look to the wide receiver room anyways after their big move this offseason.
DuBose is a fascinating player who really was unknown until two years ago. He was under-recruited, and the college he attended got rid of the football program during COVID. He was working out with a friend and walked onto Charlotte before having two solid seasons, with about 1,600 yards, and 15 touchdowns in the past two years.
His ascension got him an invite to the Senior Bowl, and eventually, the NFL Combine, showing that the rise is real. DuBose did not blow away scouts at the NFL Combine but he showed solid burst. His ability to win in the air and track the ball away from his body is what makes him intriguing. Beyond that, he has a bit of experience as a punt return option, so he can immediately push Dante Pettis. On day three, these are the shots to take.
6. Chicago Bears could draft Ohio State Edge Zach Harrison
There was a time not that long ago when many Ohio State fans were convinced that Zach Harrison was the next in a long line from Joey and Nick Bosa to Chase Young. Harrison was supposed to be the next guy, but it did not come together for him.
There are bits and pieces of moments when you understand why this was such a discussed idea. Harrison looks like he should be a top-ten pick when he gets off the bus. He has extremely long arms and knows how to use them. He also has great linear speed.
The issue is that he does not do well with change of direction, and relies solely on his long arm move to push offensive lineman. He is a project, and there are questions if his upside can be untapped with being too stiff in his lower half. Still, on day three he is a great rotational rusher who has that type of upside if things can be unlocked.
5. Georgia OT Warren McClendon is a sleeper for the Chicago Bears
While all of the talks is geared toward the Chicago Bears taking a Georgia tackle in the first round, there is also the right tackle from Georgia, and he is around much later. What makes it interesting is that Warren McClendon has more starts for Georgia than Broderick Jones.
Jones was the left tackle in waiting in 2021, but McClendon was the starting right tackle for three seasons. McClendon does not have the physical upside, and he is not nearly as strong. This shows in the run game. Beyond that, you do not see McClendon making blocks down the field like Broderick Jones.
However, Warren McClendon is steady in pass protection. He did not allow a sack the past two years. One reason is that he brings above-average length. We know the Chicago Bears value pass protection and length, so we know that McClendon may be higher on their board than others. Do they see an ability to get more power into his hands, and can they improve his anchor?
4. Clemson OL Jordan McFadden is a sleeper for the Chicago Bears
Jordan McFadden is a player that Chicago Bears fans have to keep an eye on during the draft weekend. It will be interesting to see how the NFL views him, and the Bears brought him to Halas Hall, showing that they have an interest in finding out more about him.
That is because while he played tackle at Clemson, and has the length to play tackle he is 6'2", and there are very few tackles historically that short. There are a lot of centers at his size, and his length could be a huge advantage at center.
McFadden spent a lot of time at the Shrine Bowl snapping the football and worked out at center at the NFL Combine. Did the Chicago Bears bring him in to see how comfortable he is at center? Is this another situation where you draft the best lineman and let practice dictate his role? This feels like a legitimate sleeper at center.
3. Northwestern CB Cameron Mitchell is a sleeper option
Local fans want their Northwestern player. First, it was Peter Skoronski. Then, it was Ade Adebawore. This is leaving Cameron Mitchell as a sleeper in the 2023 NFL draft. More than that, the cornerback class as a whole is leaving Mitchell as a sleeper.
In a normal year, he would have some buzz and would go in round three. This year the cornerback class is stronger than ever, and everyone has their own guy. That has let Cameron Mitchell underrated. He is a physical cornerback who is smart and attacks the football. He does not have the best speed or length, and that is why he will fall. However, as a zone cornerback, who can attack the football downfield, he could get on the field.
For the Chicago Bears, he can make the roster for special teams, and then start to push Kindle Vildor to get on the field in nickel sets. If Cameron Mitchell falls to day three, he is a great fit with the Chicago Bears.
2. Michigan State WR Jayden Reed is a sleeper for the Chicago Bears
If the Chicago Bears draft a wide receiver in the 2023 NFL draft, the best option would be Jayden Reed. When we wrote him up, we noted that he is like Dante Pettis, but does all the things you want Pettis to do better. He can play all spots inside, and out, and can block in the run game.
Plus, he runs routes to all levels of the field. Lastly, he can return punts, which makes him a great fit for the Chicago Bears. Reed is not the biggest body and does not win all the contested catches, but he is a great complimentary option.
After 2021, Reed had a shot to be a second-round pick or higher. He went back to school to get into that first-round conversation and things backfired. He was banged up, the offense fell apart and his stats got worse. Now, he has become a sleeper. The Senior Bowl and NFL Combine helped his stock, but he is still flying under the radar. Could he fall to the Chicago Bears?
1. Alabama DL Byron Young is underrated in the 2023 NFL draft
The issue with finding a three-technique is that it is so hard to find the perfect fit. That is why the Chicago Bears did not address it last year, and it is why Matt Eberflus had to trade for DeForest Buckner, a former top-ten pick. If they miss on Jalen Carter, a name like Gervon Dexter comes to mind in round two. By round three, the pickings are slim.
One name to keep an eye on is Byron Young from Alabama. He played up and down the Alabama defensive line, which helps his value. Still, he could settle in at three-technique. He profiles closer to Justin Jones than DeForest Buckner, but he fights hard and wins with his hands. As a depth option, and another player of the caliber of Justin Jones, he would be welcomed to the current group.
It is not often you can say an Alabama guy is a sleeper, but this is a player with a higher floor than a ceiling. On day three, the Chicago Bears may want a reliable rotation piece, and that could be Byron Young.