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Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive Line Reload

By Jacob Schyvinck

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 08: Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a defensive stop against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 08: Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a defensive stop against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bears load up their defensive line, find some playmakers, and get help on the offensive line in this seven round 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

The Chicago Bears sit at 3-10 with just four games remaining on the schedule. It wasn’t the step forward that many fans had hoped under a new head coach in Matt Eberflus and a new GM in Ryan Poles. Still though, there are plenty of positives to gain, at least from an NFL Draft perspective.

After trading away some top defenders in Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, the Bears are freed up to take advantage of NFL free agency where they can. Offensive line will probably be a focus for them, as will going after defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne.

Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Loading Up the Defensive Line

The real event for the Bears will be the 2023 NFL Draft, where they have a first round pick this time around. Currently, Chicago sits at the second overall selection, and with the potential wave of quarterback need combined with the lack of interest in the 2022 draft quarterbacks. Desperation could have teams calling, and despite two blue-chippers at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft (Jalen Carter, Will Anderson), entertaining and finding an offer they like should probably happen.

In this Chicago Bears mock draft, that wasn’t done. Instead, staying pat and selecting a blue-chipper is the move here, followed by many others to push the Bears into playoff contention in 2022. Let’s roll!

Round 1, 2nd Overall: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

The exodus of pass rush in 2022 was tough for the Chicago Bears. Moving Mack and Quinn was the right call for the long run, and now they’ve got Will Anderson to slide in and wreck games in the NFC North for a long time. Anderson’s 2021 season was unbelievable (17.5 sacks, 31 TFLs) and he’s got 14 sacks in 2022, and was the Bednarik award recipient. He’s got the explosion, power, and refined hands to consistently create pressure as a pass rusher (201 career pressures at Alabama) and is a dominant player defending the run as well.

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