Bears Mock Draft: Chicago Trades Down Twice for a King’s Ransom
By Hunter Haas
Round 4, No. 103: KJ Henry, EDGE, Clemson
As stated earlier, the Bears were among the worst in the league at generating pressure on the opposing quarterback. With Jalen Carter and Isaiah Foskey in tow, things are already changing for Chicago. Adding KJ Henry puts the unit over the top.
Henry is a former five-star recruit, dripping with natural talent and looking the part of an NFL pass rusher. He pressured the quarterback 53 times in 2022, resulting in a sparkling 84.0 pass-rushing grade (via PFF).
Henry improved considerably as a run defender during his time with Clemson, but rushing off the edge is where he will make his money in the league. Another potential rookie starter heads to Chicago in this mock draft.
Round 4, No. 104 (via HOU): Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Khalil Herbert is a favorite of mine and David Montgomery is a stud when healthy. Re-signing Montgomery is a likely outcome this offseason, but he has yet to stay healthy for a full regular season. If the front office opts for fresher (and more reliable) legs in the backfield, Tyjae Spears is the man for the job.
Spears possesses home run-hitting speed, showing the ability to take any snap to the house. He improved as a pass blocker during his time at the Senior Bowl and often looked like the most explosive player on the field. The pairing of Herbert and Spears makes for a dynamic one-two punch.
Round 4, No. 106 (via IND): Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
With DeAndre Hopkins, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool on the roster, Chicago looks to add a fourth high-upside player to the receiving corps. Rakim Jarrett is explosive with the ball in his hands and consistently created separation in college. Justin Fields cannot have too many weapons.
Round 4, No. 134 (via KC): Jarrett Patterson, OG/C, Notre Dame
The Bears added a plug-and-play right tackle earlier in the mock draft, and at No. 134, they do the same for the interior of the offensive line. Jarrett Patterson is a seasoned veteran and comes out of the offensive line factory known as Notre Dame. He can play center or guard in the NFL and will keep the pocket clean for Fields.
Round 5, No. 137: Zacch Pickens, NT, South Carolina
Jalen Carter will fill the DeForest Buckner role in Eberflus’ system, but he needs a Grover Stewart too. South Carolina’s Zacch Pickens is a handful to block, using a blend of strength at the point of attack and deceptive agility when working around blocks. Pickens will contend for early-down snaps as a rookie.
Round 5, No. 150 (via NE): Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
The secondary is the strongest point of the roster if you ask me. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are studs at cornerback, plus Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson provide elite play at safety. Louisville’s Kei’Trel Clark is the final piece to the puzzle in the secondary.
Clark is as confident as they come, a vital trait for a cornerback in the NFL. He flexes the versatility to line up in the slot or on the boundary, even if his physical profile underwhelms a bit. The Cardinal defensive back will carve out a career in the NFL, even if it ends up as a special teams specialist.
Round 7, No. 220: Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Speaking of special teams, Chicago uses the final pick of this mock draft on Michigan kicker Jake Moody. Moody connected on 52-of-60 kicks the past two seasons, including a perfect 23/23 from 30-39 yards.
Cairo Santos is entering the final year of his deal, so bringing in a potential replacement caps off a ‘best-case scenario’ mock draft. What do you think, Bears fans? Did I nail it, or could it be better?