Chicago Bears 2023 Draft Hopes Just Got A Giant Boost

Losing to the Philadelphia Eagles was expected. The Chicago Bears deserve credit for making it a game. They were ravaged by injuries but persevered against the best team in the NFC. Justin Fields continued to look like a star. Most importantly, though, depending on who you ask, the team's draft position for 2023 remains secure. Their loss dropped them to 3-11 on the season, the second-worst record in the NFL. Three games are left on the schedule. All three are against some of the hottest teams in the league (Buffalo, Detroit, and Minnesota).

However, it gets even better for the Bears. Events happened elsewhere that put them in a premium position to lock down one of the top spots in the draft. Let's start with down south in New Orleans. The Saints moved to 5-9 on the season by defeating their rival Atlanta Falcons. That win pushed their 1st round pick, traded to the Eagles, down to 9th in the new draft order. Based on current math, it also means that Chicago is guaranteed a top four pick even if they win one of their final three games.

It gets better. The injury to Kyler Murray was devastating for the Arizona Cardinals. One team that stood to benefit was the Denver Broncos, who played them next on the schedule. Despite an ugly game, they finished the job with a 24-15 victory. That puts them at 4-10 on the year, costing the Seattle Seahawks control of the #2 overall pick. The Bears hold that honor now. If they lose their remaining games, that will be cemented.

The Chicago Bears could be poised for a swift turnaround.

While nothing is guaranteed in the draft, the #2 pick has proven quite lucrative when picking non-quarterbacks over the past decade. The slot has produced names like Ndamukong Suh, Von Miller, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young. Imagine how much better the Bears' defense could look with one of those guys thrown into the mix. Early projections show the 2023 class is loaded at the top with defensive linemen. Will Anderson of Alabama and Jalen Carter of Georgia lead the way. Poles could pick either one and make fans happy. Or he can auction the slot off to the highest bidder seeking a QB and stockpile more picks.

Everything points to the Chicago Bears ending up with a top five pick. They don't have enough bodies to win any upcoming games. Their only hope is if Minnesota decides to rest their starters in the season finale. There is no reason to think they can't come out of next April with a blue-chip talent for their roster. That doesn't even factor in their loads of salary cap space in free agency. Barring a monumental fumble, this team should be much better by next summer when Poles' work is done.