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.
Round 2, 57th Overall: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
For the Chicago Bears to completely get humming on offense, most notably running the football, center needs to be on the list this offseason. Free agency might present some options, but the 2023 NFL Draft has a clean fit.
He won’t be for every team (much like Tyler Linderbaum in last year’s draft, where selecting him might mean tweaking the offense), but John Michael Schmitz can work for the Chicago Bears. He’s the zone center in the class, with the quicks, linear explosion, and ability to be masterful working to the second level in zone. Schmitz has the finishing mentality as well, and could be the instant starter in Chicago.
Round 3, 66th Overall: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
The trade for Chase Claypool should help solve one of the issues plaguing the Bears receiving core. He can win downfield and flashes the catch point wins. Darnell Mooney has one year left on his contract, and is the versatile, quick-twitch threat. With deep threats galore, finding a true chain-moving separator is the bucket to fill.
Xavier Hutchinson is a perfect fit in that role. He’s a very talented separator in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He wins the slant as good as anyone in the 2023 NFL Draft class. What’s great is Hutchinson will expand the target zone for Justin Fields with his massive catch radius, and his drop rate is extremely low. Hutchinson makes the tough catches look extremely easy.
Round 4, 104th Overall: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Even with Will Anderson in the fold, the interior of the defensive line needs some more help. Creating pressure with four consistently would be excellent for an Eberflus defense, and Calijah Kancey would help them get there. Kancey’s only real deficiency is size, which sounds familiar if you’re an NFL Draft and Pitt fan. Kancey is wicked quick on the interior and has the pass rush moves at the contact point to win in a variety of ways.
Round 4, 134th Overall: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
No reason to not keep swinging on the edge for the Chicago Bears. Dominique Robinson is a fun bet on athleticism, but a running mate for Anderson is a good idea. Laiatu Latu hasn’t decided whether he’s entering or not just yet, but boy he has the traits to succeed in the NFL as a pass rusher.
Round 5, 138th Overall: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
The Chicago Bears have a decision to make regarding David Montgomery in the offseason, and while it’s nice to not worry about it with Khalil Herbert waiting for a chance to be a lead back, filling up the running back room in a heavy run offense is what the Bears will do. Chase Brown would be a great value here in an unbelievably deep running back class. His home run hitting ability is excellent and he’s got the skills to make defenders miss while staying square.
Round 5, 153rd Overall: Zak Zinter, OL, Michigan
The one place the Chicago Bears cannot get complacent is along the offensive line. When Fields gets more chances to light it up within the pocket going forward, avoiding hits there is crucial. Free agency could change things of course, but for not, two more in the three final selections. Zak Zinter has quick feet as a pass protector and has impressive grip strength in a phone booth to play guard. He’ll open lanes in the run game as well.
Round 7, 220th Overall: Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
As mentioned, there are deep threats on the team in Chicago, but Mooney might not be staying long-term. Trey Palmer gives Fields another deep threat to take advantage of the go-ball, as he’s been lighting it up downfield for the Cornhuskers in 2022.
Round 7, 259th Overall: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
The Chicago Bears might’ve struck gold with Braxton Jones in the fourth round in the 2022 NFL Draft, and they might’ve done it again here in the seventh round of this mock draft. Patrick Paul is another mauler in the run game who can help the Bears sustain success with their rushing attack for several years to come.