I did a boatload of mock drafts around the time of free agency, but it's been a while. Since then, PFF has done away with their superb draft simulator, so tonight's iteration was prepared using NFL Mock Draft Database.
(Note: proposed trades on NMDD are all over the place. Some offers are laughably low; some are laughably high. I rejected all offers that seemed out of whack.)
Following free agency, the Bears have massive needs on the defensive front along with needs for additional talent on the offensive line, at tight end, and running back. So, without further adieu, here's a look at a pretty tasty draft scenario.
Bears trade #9 to Houston for #12 and #65
After picking a DE at #2, Houston moves up a few spots to jump Tennessee to nab Florida QB Anthony Richardson. The Bears pick up another starter in the swap. Easy call.
Bears trade #12 and a 2024 4th to New York Giants for #25, #57, and a 2024 2nd
Unlike the first trade, this one is much tougher to swallow. With Paris Johnson Jr. still on the board, the Bears have a plug-and-play cornerstone tackle available. But the value here is too good to pass up, so the Bears facilitate the Giants moving up for Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
#25: Bears select Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
Nice! This would be a stellar outcome for the Bears. Pick up a handful of additional tasty picks and still come away with a day one starter at RT.
#53: Bears select Iowa TE Sam LaPorta
I remain a huge fan of LaPorta. When there's a quality Iowa TE available, take him, especially if you have a young QB in need of weapons.
#57: Bears select Auburn DE Derick Hall
Hall is my least favorite of the DEs expected to be taken in the 1st or 2nd rounds, but in this mock, there was a huge run on DEs in the mid-2nd. The Bears need a starter at DE, so Hall fits the bill.
#61: Bears select Wisconsin C Joe Tippmann
While many Bears fans lust after Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz, nabbing either Tippmann or Schmitz would be a tremendous step. This greases the skids on a Cody Whitehair release and saves $8M+ against the cap.
Bears trade #64 to Denver for #67 and #108
That's too much value for the Broncos to send. Obviously the Bears have to take such a deal.
#65: Bears select Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
I'm a huge fan of Stevenson. He's got enough athleticism to play on the outside, kicking Kyler Gordon to the plot on a permanent basis.
Bears trade #67 and #148 to Indianapolis for #79, #106, and a 2024 4th
A trade that acknowledges that the Bears don't see great value in this spot in the draft after such a big run in the late 2nd/early 3rd while bringing up #148 to a much more useful spot.
#79: Bears select Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks
In a draft lacking impact three technique options, I remain obssessed with Brooks. He might be the player that I most want the Bears to draft, whether at #50 or #150. I don't think he'll last that long given his athletic profile.
#103: Bears select Army DE Andre Carter II
Carter looked like a fringe 1st before the Combine. Now? This might be a little high for him. He has incredible quickness and an amazing frame, but he's mostly a ball of clay at this point.
#106: Bears select Tulane RB Tyjae Spears
Spears exploded onto the scene during Tulane's magical 2022 season. He'd offer speed and explosiveness with pass catching skills. This is a good spot for him.
#108: Bears select Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry
Perry is huge, productive, and plenty athletic. His hands have been inconsistent, but he has the profile of a good starter. This is great value for him.
#133: Bears select Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker
Schoonmaker is one of the big winners of the Combine. His athletic profile proved much more impressive than expected.
#136: Bears select Texas OLB DeMarvion Overshown
Overshown is similar to Carter in that he's remarkably fast with a good frame, but he's not strong enough to play in the NFL right now.
#218: Bears select Coastal Carolina DT Jerrod Clark
The Bears basically must take a flyer at DT at this point in the draft. Clark isn't going to wow anyone, but he should be a playable option given his advanced age and physical profile.
#258: Bears select Pittsburgh OT Carter Warren
This pick was going to be Warren, Eastern Michigan DE Jose Ramirez, who I also adore, or Michigan K Jake Moody. Moody is definitely getting drafted and possibly a round or two earlier. I ultimately settled on Warren, a draftable body with a 2022 injury that will hurt his stock.
The improved depth from this draft has me on cloud nine. This roster is so much better. Here's the depth chart:
QB: Justin Fields, P.J. Walker
RB: Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, Tyjae Spears, Travis Homer
FB: Khari Blasingame
WR: DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, A.T. Perry, Velus Jones Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown
TE: Cole Kmet, Sam LaPorta, Robert Tonyan, Luke Schoonmaker
OT: Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, Larry Borom, Carter Warren
G: Teven Jenkins, Nate Davis, Alex Leatherwood
C: Joe Tippmann, Doug Kramer
DE: DeMarcus Walker, Derick Hall, Andre Carter II, Trevis Gipson, Dominique Robinson, Rasheem Green
DT: Justin Jones, Andrew Billings, Karl Brooks, Jerrod Clark
ILB: Tremaine Edmunds
OLB: T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, DeMarvion Overshown, Dylan Cole
CB: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor, Tyrique Stevenson, Josh Blackwell
S: Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Jaylon Jones, Elijah Hicks
ST: Cairo Santos, Trenton Gill, Patrick Scales
Is this 53-man roster a winner? Probably not in a big way in 2023. But it lays the foundation for (i) a winning team, and (ii) a quality evaluation of Justin Fields. My goodness, that sounds so much better than 2022.
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