Bears trade back from No. 1, shore up defensive line in Matt Miller's 2-round mock draft




 

The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, where the expectation is general manager Ryan Poles will look to trade back for additional draft capital.

Chicago should have no shortage of suitors for the top pick, as there are a number of teams in need of a quarterback this offseason. And if a team falls in love with one of the top prospects - be it Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud or Will Levis - the Bears could be the beneficiary of their desperation.

With the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl in the books, ESPN's Matt Miller unveiled his new two-round mock draft. Chicago has a number of needs to address on their roster, but Miller has them targeting one of their biggest weaknesses in the first two rounds: the defensive line.

No. 4 - DT Jalen Carter, Georgia

 

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Bears find a trade partner for the No. 1 pick in the Colts, where they acquire additional draft capital and still manage to land a top defensive prospect in Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 4 overall.

Carter has been a popular link in most Bears mock drafts, which makes sense considering the defensive line was the team's biggest weakness last season. Carter could be that disruptive three-technique that would make Matt Eberflus' defense go.

No. 53 - DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State

 

Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch

While Chicago doesn't have their own second-round pick - after trading it to the Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool - they did land a second-rounder from the Ravens after trading linebacker Roquan Smith.

With that No. 53 selection, the Bears go defense again with Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison.

It's not just the defensive interior that needs work. The Bears had the worst pass rush last season, notching just 20 sacks in 17 games, and Harrison would help shore up the defensive end position.

As for that second-round (technically first-round) pick the Bears traded to the Steelers for Claypool, Pittsburgh lands Senior Bowl standout, center John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota at No. 32.

Story originally appeared on Bears Wire

COMMENTS

More Related News

NFL free agency: Jets are winners, Raiders are losers. The Broncos? Who knows?
NFL free agency: Jets are winners, Raiders are losers. The Broncos? Who knows?

Building through free agency is typically seen as unwise, but several teams have addressed weaknesses this month without overpaying

Austin Reaves in starting lineup pays off as Lakers hold off Suns
Austin Reaves in starting lineup pays off as Lakers hold off Suns

Anthony Davis scored 27 points, D'Angelo Russell added 26 and Austin Reaves finished with 25 as the Lakers held off the Phoenix Suns 122-111 at Crypto.com Arena.

Sixers at Bulls: Sixers blitz Chicago, win on short night for Joel Embiid
Sixers at Bulls: Sixers blitz Chicago, win on short night for Joel Embiid

The Sixers got off to a dream start and earned a 116-91 win Wednesday at United Center on a short night for Joel Embiid. By Noah Levick

'Blue wall' Democrats urge the White House to give Chicago the 2024 DNC convention

Democrats across the Midwest are appealing to President Joe Biden to back Chicago as the destination for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Missing Illinois woman found wrapped in sheet, dumped in shopping cart in Chicago alley
Missing Illinois woman found wrapped in sheet, dumped in shopping cart in Chicago alley

Missing Illinois woman Rosa Chacon, 21, was found dumped in a Chicago alley under gruesome circumstances nearly two months after she went missing from an...

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Cancel reply

Comments

Top News: Football