Our Writers Make Their Selections for the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft
By Peter Jurich
With the 2023 NFL Draft only a few hours away, we have all seen several players who the Chicago Bears may pick with any of their 10 total draft selections. However, the Bears changed the fate of this year's draft over a month and a half ago, trading away the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the ninth overall pick, a first-rounder next year, the 61st overall pick, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Chicago Bears Writers Mock Draft
Now with the ninth overall pick, there are several avenues the team can take in the first round to find a franchise-altering player. Whether you want an imposing offensive lineman, an explosive defensive lineman, or a dynamic offensive weapon, there are a lot of unique ways for this team to improve in the first round.
With four top-65 picks and eight top-150 picks, there is no doubt that the Chicago Bears will be improved over the course of this weekend. According to our writers and contributors, here are the players that the Chicago Bears should target this weekend, from first-round, blue-chip prospects all the way to mid-round sleepers.
First Round Wish-Lists
“There are so many ways the Chicago Bears could go in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The team could trade down again if the right players fall to them at nine and Ryan Poles is offered decent trade compensation. Staying at nine and landing a top-10 prospect is also an option.
If I’m being honest, I’d be happy with many guys either at nine or if they trade back. Paris Johnson Jr. is my top-graded offensive tackle. I’d be happy with him or Broderick Jones. Peter Skoronski is not someone I’d want at nine, but I’d be fine with him if they can trade back.
Names like Devon Witherspoon and Jalen Carter would excite me, but if I’m being realistic I don’t see either falling that far.
My dream scenario is Ryan Poles somehow trading back, acquiring a second-round pick higher than 53, and still somehow landing Myles Murphy, a defensive end out of Clemson. I have Murphy as my number two prospect behind Will Anderson. Off-the-field issues plus his Pro Day red flags pushed Jalen Carter down the board to number six for me.
Murphy isn’t getting enough love and I think he’d be a strong addition to a very weak defensive line. Adding him while also landing a second-round pick means they can target a right tackle and center in the second.”
- Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO)
"If the Bears stay at nine I want them to go with Paris Johnson Jr. He’s one of the most "sure-thing" players in this draft and would be a day one starter at either tackle spot. As much as I would like an edge rusher, I think Tyree Wilson will be gone by nine overall and Myles Murphy could be available in a trade-back. Sure up that tackle spot and the offense is pretty much set for the future. Focus on defense the rest of the way in the draft."
- Michael Labellarte (@MichaelL_644)
"Despite trading down to the ninth overall selection, the Bears can still select one of the top defensive prospects in Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter. Off-the-field concerns aside, Carter is a violent and explosive interior rusher who dominated in his final two seasons in college, leading his defense and team to back-to-back national championships.
Carter's pre-draft process has gone much worse than his actual collegiate career, and between his misdemeanor charges and struggles at his pro day, there are many reasons to be cautious around one of the most volatile top-10 prospects we've seen in some time. However, even a young team like the Bears have the infrastructure to support and develop a player of this caliber, and Carter could become the anchor of the defense from the 3-technique position. If Carter is available at nine, I expect the Bears to either draft the Georgia standout or trade down with a team who will draft Carter themselves."
- Peter Jurich (@Peter_Jurich)
Late Round Sleepers
"The Bears and Ohio State's Zach Harrison are a fit. He is long, strong, and very, very fast. He can play inside and out and is projected too low on many draft boards, I assume because he is technically an edge rusher, but he is 6'6 275 pounds with room to grow inside. He could be the Bears' 3-technique that they are missing - that Tommy Harris edge player converted to an interior rusher that would destroy people. His arms are longer than Paris Johnson's. Nobody is talking about him as the prospect that he is. The draft is all about potential. Harrison's is unlimited."
- Cam Henderson (@camgamhende)
"A day two prospect I'd like to see the Bears target is Baylor nose tackle Siaki Ika. At 6' 4" and nearly 360 lbs, Ika is a massive player who creates all sorts of problems for the opposing offense's interior lines. As a nose tackle, Ika essentially demands a double team, and while he is a strong and dominant player against the run, he has surprisingly great upside as a pass rusher. Ika has the speed and agility to quickly end up in the quarterback's lap, and while he might not go until the end of the second round or the start of the third, he would be a day-one contributor for Chicago across the defensive line."