This Chicago Bears 2023 mock draft faces a dilemma. Everybody knows the team has clear needs left to fill. GM Ryan Poles could go about it the traditional way by drafting players he thinks can fill them, or he could take a more unconventional route. Doing so might require equal parts luck and sacrifice, but if pulled off, it could set the organization up for immediate and long-term success. That is what Poles has strived for from the outset this off-season. His trading of the #1 overall pick proved it.
He’ll have to take some calculated risks if he wants to avoid leaning on too many rookies to turn the Bears’ fortunes around in 2023. Here is how he could do it.
Getting creative with this Chicago Bears 2023 mock draft
Trades:
Bears send WR Darnell Mooney to the Falcons for the 75th pick
It sounds crazy to think the Bears would trade Mooney. However, there are reasons to believe they will. For one, he’s in the last year of his rookie contract. So is Chase Claypool. The Bears may not want to pay both of them. Unlike Claypool, he wasn’t acquired by Poles. If the right offer comes around, this deal could happen. Atlanta needs wide receiver help alongside Drake London. Mooney could replace the departed Calvin Ridley, and we all know Ryan Pace is down there. He’d absolutely push for this.
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Bears send the 61st pick to the Texans for RT Tytus Howard and 4th round pick.
The next phase of the plan for Poles is to find a solution at right tackle. Most believe his best option is to draft one. While a strong possibility, there may be an alternative. Houston just got done making Laremy Tunsil the highest-paid tackle in the NFL. They might not be keen on paying big money to Howard as well. He is a free agent in 2024. While not a star, Howard is a solid player who does everything well. He’d be a massive upgrade over what the Bears have at the position. They also have the money to pay him.
The Draft:
1st Round (via CAR) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
With Mooney out of the picture and right tackle locked up, the Bears now have the green light to do what many hope they will. Most agree that Smith-Njigba is the best receiver in the 2023 class. While he may lack great speed, he makes up for it with elite quickness, agility, and route-running skills. He will become an instant nightmare in the slot. With Claypool and D.J. Moore, Justin Fields will have some outstanding talent around him at wide receiver.
Trade: Bears send 53rd pick and 75th pick to the Colts for 35th pick and 4th round pick
2nd Round (via IND) – Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
It’s felt if a team wants to get a plug-and-play starter outside the top 10, the best place to be in this draft is between the 20th and 40th spots. So this Bears 2023 mock draft sees Poles swing a deal with old friend Chris Ballard in Indianapolis to snag the 35th pick. With it, they’re able to land a sorely-needed piece for their defensive line. Though he played edge rusher in college, Adebawore has the body type, length, power, and quickness tailor-made for a three-technique defensive tackle.
3rd Round – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
The defensive line overhaul continues. Foskey has the size, length, and athleticism Eberflus covet in his defensive ends. He was highly productive as a pass rusher for the Irish, with 20.5 sacks in two years. However, he’s still raw in several technical areas and needs to improve as a run defender. That is why he slips to the 3rd round.
4th Round – Jay Ward, CB, LSU
The Tampa-2 defense requires its cornerbacks to be intelligent, quick, tough, and capable of forcing turnovers. While Ward may be on the thinner side with okay-not-great speed, he makes up for it with a tenacious playing style, strong ball skills, and outstanding character. He can easily be CB3 alongside Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.
4th Round (via HOU) – Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman should form an excellent 1-2 punch on the ground for Chicago. What neither can offer is any juice in the passing game. They need somebody with the hands and speed to be a receiving threat. Spears was electric for the Green Wave in college and proved it again at the Senior Bowl.
4th Round (via IND) – Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State
Reports that the Bears are interested in Scruggs isn’t surprising. He may not be overly big or an elite athlete, but he’s good enough in both areas. Couple that with a smart, rugged playing style and a finisher mentality, and he fits what Poles and this coaching staff look for in their offensive linemen.
4th Round (via PHI) – Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
There is nothing wrong with continuing to beef up the interior of the defensive line. Ojomo has the size, length, and power to be at least a capable nose tackle in the NFL. He then showed he has more athletic traits than expected at the combine, indicating he has the potential to become more with proper coaching.
5th Round – K.J. Henry, EDGE, Clemson
While his sack production was never high, Henry showcased a solid all-around ability. He could pressure the quarterback and was also stout against the run. He has the size and length necessary for the position. With more polish, he may learn to start finishing several more plays in the backfield.
5th Round (via BAL) – Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
The Bears have their blocking tight end in Cole Kmet. What they need is somebody that can become a more capable target in the passing game. Whyle demonstrated such ability with the Bearcats but was never the offense’s focal point. His size and speed should make him an intriguing developmental option behind Robert Tonyan.
7th Round – Antonio Mafi, OG, UCLA
Nobody would single him out as the best athlete on the field, but he moves well enough. Where Mafi makes his money is in his size and power. He can straight manhandle defensive linemen once he gets ahold of them. He’s also mean, showcasing a nasty streak on every block.
7th Round (comp) – Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
P.J. Walker was a nice addition to the quarterback room for the Bears. However, there is nothing wrong with competition. Bennett is one of the most accomplished QBs in college football history. He’s a winner, intelligent, athletic, and throws a tight, accurate ball. He should have a long career as a backup.
Bears GM Martin will fix the team, lol
If you notice Poles is clearing out Pace’s player with JF being the only exception. With Mooney and Claypool having their contracts up at the sametime it’s highly unlikely Poles will pay both of them. Mooney maybe just like Montgomery if he hits f/a or he can be traded for less than his value this year because of the foot injury. JF should ball out this year and Poles has to get ready for that too. Plus I believe that if given the opportunity next year he may go after Harrison and so he won’t keep Mooney and everything depends… Read more »
Most of you can’t fathom taking JSN at 9 because you’re fixated on OL or DL. I understand the need to fix every position on both lines, I do. Poles also has to manage the cap and getting the best wr in the draft allows us to pay Fields a lot of upfront money in an extension while we, hopefully, have a solid group of skill players. I’m just thinking out of the box. I’m really a huge fan of this trade as it makes a ton of sense for both teams, however it’s not going to materialize.
This scenario is about the only way that Mooney gets traded and the Bears draft JSN. That said, Mooney is worth more than pick #75 – he’s a proven NFL WR with a 1000 yard season despite poor QB play that year. Pick #44 would be much more reasonable for his value, unless his foot injury causes long term problems. Then the Bears wouldn’t have had to trade #53 and #75 to get #39 to take Adabawore, they could have picked him at #44. Otherwise, this is a solid draft, except that the TE pick is a bit of a… Read more »
I think Poles is smart enough to stay away from drafting a WR in the top 10. It’s literally the highest bust rate of any position. I also believe Mooney is a better locker room presence and has stronger work ethic than Claypool. Mooney actually has at least one 1,000 yd season too. Something Claypool has yet to achieve in the same span.