The Chicago Bears are less than 12 hours away from knowing where they will pick in the 2023 draft. Current projections have them sitting at #2 overall. That will be locked into place if they lose to the Minnesota Vikings. It could become #1 if Houston also beats Indianapolis. So there are still plenty of details to sort through. One thing is for sure. If the Bears do end up with one of those spots, they immediately become a topic of conversation regarding a possible trade down this April.
GM Ryan Poles has put the team on a rebuilding course. He's declared he intends to build them through the draft. That requires picks. Since the Bears seem to have their quarterback in Justin Fields, it makes some logical sense that they might consider selling the #1 or #2 pick to the highest bidder looking to land a QB of their own. Were that to happen, the next question is obvious. Who would the Bears target in such scenarios?
Here is a rundown of likely possibilities based on how far they move down.
The Chicago Bears' options will shift based on where they land.
Picks #4-6 range: DT Bryan Bresee (Clemson)
Jalen Carter is universally considered the best defensive tackle in the class. However, Bresee isn't far behind him. Injuries slowed him in 2021 and early this past year, but when he's healthy, he is an undeniable force as an interior pass rusher. He finished strong down the stretch with three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in the final six games for Clemson. He also has a slight length advantage at 6'5 compared to Carter (6'3). He is precisely what the Bears would want at the three-technique position. It comes down to whether they think his body can hold up.
Picks #7-9 range: EDGE Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech)
Matt Eberflus said length would be a massive factor in the Bears' scouting process moving forward. He is a big advocate of long athletes. Wilson is the prototypical example. He's 6'6, 275, and reportedly boasts arms between 35-36 inches long. If that weren't enough, he is surprisingly athletic for his size, moving inside and outside for the Red Raiders, depending on the situation. His production was steady, and his best football is clearly ahead of him.
Picks #10-12 range: OT Paris Johnson (Ohio State)
It isn't a secret the Chicago Bears need offensive line help. Tackle is probably their greatest sore spot. They have no definitive right tackle, and left tackle remains a slight question mark despite an admirable effort by Braxton Jones. Johnson played well for the Buckeyes in 2022, demonstrating his unique physical traits with size, power, length, and athleticism. C.J. Stroud rarely had to worry about pressure from his blind side. Pass protection is the first priority for the Bears, so this would be an easy decision.
Picks #13-15 range: WR Jordan Addison
Chase Claypool didn't have the impact everybody hoped. That isn't all his fault. Still, it's evident the Bears need more firepower to unlock Fields. This offense is built on precise route running. Addison is the best pure route runner in the 2023 class. He'll get knocked for his slender 170 lbs frame, but the kid knows how to get open. He is so quick off the snap and has enough speed to threaten deep. If Poles is dead set on landing a receiver, this is the guy they want.
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