The Chicago Bears have a month left before the NFL draft begins. GM Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, and the rest of the organization are hard at work finalizing their board. It should be an eventful three-day period with ten total picks at their disposal. Yet everybody wants to know the obvious. What will they do at the 9th overall pick? There are plenty of possibilities. They could target a much-needed edge rusher. They could take a calculated risk on physical freak Jalen Carter despite his off-the-field concerns. Perhaps they may double down on another receiver like Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, the name to watch is Paris Johnson.
A source informed SM that the big left tackle from Ohio State has several fans inside Halas Hall. That includes Poles himself. No final decision has been made, but the general feeling is Johnson is the man to beat right now. They love his mixture of size, length, athleticism, and temperament. His versatility of playing on both the right and left sides also helps his case. He’d be a perfect fit for them at right tackle. The belief is the only way he is not the choice is if one of the top edge rushers (Will Anderson or Tyree Wilson) happens to fall or if somebody blows them away in interviews and pro days over the coming weeks.
They may also get a strong trade offer for the 9th pick.
Paris Johnson helped his case at Ohio State’s pro day.
He was in shape and looked excellent during drills, showcasing that rare athleticism for somebody 6’7 and well over 300 lbs. His 36-inch arms are a big selling point too. The Bears have stated several times that they covet players with good length. It doesn’t hurt he is also a former teammate of Justin Fields, so he’d know the type of quarterbacks he would be blocking for. Chicago was the second team to interview Johnson at the scouting combine. That is also an indication of clear interest.
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The situation remains fluid. Lots can change in a month. Poles is known for grinding film right up until the start of the draft. He may change his mind multiple times. Still, everything points to Paris Johnson being the favorite to hear his name called on April 28th. If so, he would be the first tackle taken by them in the top 10 since Jimbo Covert went 6th overall in 1983. Such a drought might explain why this organization has had offensive line problems for the past 30 years.
