The picture is coming into focus. With Justin Fields out Sunday, the odds of beating the Minnesota Vikings have dropped to almost zero. That is why this Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason remains focused on the idea they will operate with at least the #2 overall pick. That gives GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus tons of flexibility to accomplish their objectives. It seems relatively straightforward. They need help everywhere, as rebuilding teams usually do. For them, it has to start up front.
Nothing told the story of the 2022 Bears better than the constant whippings they got in the trenches every week. That has to change if they're ever going to challenge Green Bay, Philadelphia, Dallas, and the other traditional NFC powers. Wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback also require attention. The odds of fixing everything in one go are remote. That shouldn't stop Poles from being aggressive. He has the resources to do it.
Any Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason must be about the QB
Cuts:
- OG Cody Whitehair – $5.8 million saved
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad – $4 million saved
Re-signings/Extensions:
- Jaylon Johnson – 4-year extension for $70 million
- David Montgomery – 3-year deal for $21 million
- Cole Kmet – 4-year extension for $32.4 million
- Darnell Mooney - 4-year extension for $60 million
- Nicholas Morrow – 2-year deal for $10 million
- Armon Watts – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- N’Keal Harry – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- Trevon Wesco – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- Matthew Adams – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- Dane Cruikshank – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $1.165 million
- Patrick Scales – 1-year deal $1.165 million
- Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $750,000
Free Agency:
- DT Da'Ron Payne - 5-year deal for $95 million
- OT Jawaan Taylor - 4-year deal for $70 million
- WR D.J. Chark - 3-year deal for $30 million
- LB Bobby Okereke - 3-year deal for $24 million
- DE Charles Omenihu - 2-year deal for $10 million
The objective is clear with this group. Upgrading the trenches is a priority. Payne is the three-technique interior pass rusher they've sorely lacked. He's dominated all year for Washington and earned that money. Taylor has emerged as a dependable blocker for Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. Chark suffered an injury setback earlier in 2022 but has been a key part of Detroit's offensive explosion down the stretch. Okereke has deep knowledge of Eberflus' defensive scheme and is a solid, reliable linebacker. Omenihu isn't a starter. However, he's shown again this season that he can be a decent rotational pass rusher.
The Draft:
- Trade: #2 pick to the Colts for #6 pick #37 pick, #84 pick, and 1st in 2024
- Trade: #6 pick and #84 pick to the Lions for #4 pick
1st Round (via DET) - Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Detroit would make this deal for two reasons. They don't need a pass rusher since they now have Aiden Hutchinson and James Houston. Second, they've already proven they'll trade with division rivals. So Poles is wise to make this trade. He's already secured an extra 2nd round pick and that coveted future 1st. Now he sacrifices one of his 3rds to jump two spots for that desired pass rusher. Anderson might be on the lighter side for a 4-3 defensive end, but his ability cannot be questioned. Offensive tackles have nightmares dealing with him, and he still hasn't reached the ceiling of what he can do.
2nd Round (via IND) - Jaxon Smith-Njiba, WR, Ohio State
People continue to swear up and down there is no way Smith-Njiba reaches the 2nd round. Here's why he can. His 2022 season was a disaster, thanks to multiple injury issues. That made it easy for teammates to overshadow him. On top of that, some experts believe his overall speed is not elite. Likely in the low 4.5 range. When those two factors are in play, guys drop. That said, he's a threat as a route-runner with deceptive after-the-catch ability. Put him in the slot and let him feast.
2nd Round (via BAL) - Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC
Cody Whitehair had a solid career in Chicago, but it's time to find his replacement at left guard. Vorhees is everything Poles like in offensive linemen. He's big, stout, powerful, and carries a nasty disposition. He's looking to bury defenders into the turf on every running play. He's also more athletic than he gets credit for, able to pull on runs and get to the second level. The Bears are looking for tone-setters. They won't find much better in this class than Vorhees.
3rd Round - Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
If ever there was a draft to double down on a position, edge rusher for this one. While Anderson is the superior athlete, Van Ness is more the prototypical 4-3 defensive end. He makes up for what he lacks in true burst and quickness in size, length, and pure power. With his bull rush, this guy can legitimately drive offensive tackles onto their backs. What he needs is to build his arsenal of moves. Right now, they're somewhat rudimentary. Once he becomes less predictable, he'll become more dangerous.
4th Round - Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Braxton Jones showed tons of promise as a rookie. That doesn't mean the Bears should stop investing in the tackle position. Wright has shined in a pass-happy system at Tennessee, going against the best the SEC has to offer. His power and length are major assets, while his experience has led to polished technique. The foot quickness will be a discussion, though. Dropping weight (335 lbs) might be a necessity.
4th Round (via PHI) - Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
The departure of Lincoln Riley hasn't stopped the Sooner from producing quality pass-catchers. Mims had his best season with over 1,000 yards this year, averaging 20.1 yards per catch. He is the definition of a big-play threat with vertical speed and the ability to make defenders miss after the catch. At 5'11, 180 lbs, there are valid questions about his size. He plays much bigger than that.
5th Round - Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
This Bears 2023 mock offseason must follow the template set by the new regime. Eberflus' defense is about finding players that can force turnovers. Moss made a career out of that for the Hawkeyes, snagging 11 interceptions, scoring three touchdowns, and forcing two fumbles. He has size, decent athleticism, and plays the physical brand of football Chicago seeks from their secondary.
5th Round (via BAL) - Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
Same situation, different position. Like Moss, Brown has a reputation for ball skills. He's collected ten interceptions and three forced fumbles across two years with the Nittany Lions. He isn't the biggest or fastest safety, but he displays instincts and grit. The ball just seems to find him. He'll have to clean up his tackling inconsistency before he threatens for a starting job.
7th Round - Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
The late rounds are about taking calculated risks. Wilson is a 6'4 kid with great athletic potential. He demonstrates an ability to shoot gaps as a run defender and blitzer. He also has the speed to play sideline-to-sideline. The problems stem from a perceived lack of physicality and troubling injury history. He missed most of the 2021 season due to multiple shoulder issues. Then another setback slowed him early in 2022. Questions persist about his availability, but the upside is worth exploring.
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