There's an argument to be made the Bears have already won the draft.
Yes, they still have picks to make and yes, things could easily go horribly wrong. However, when a team manages to secure three picks and a top wide receiver in D.J. Moore in March for No. 1 overall while trusting it has its QB of the future, things aren't going bad.
Even after trading the top pick, something that was regarded as a bit of an inevitability the moment Chicago recommitted to Justin Fields at quarterback, the Bears are sitting pretty. They pick ninth overall and three times in the first two rounds, with none of those picks being their own.
Even with the Bears' haul of picks, there's some pressure on this draft. Fields' lack of support last year was noted, but there has to be real progress this year. Chicago got Fields a weapon in Moore, but it still has plenty of positions to fill. The offensive line gave up 58 sacks, the fourth-worst in the league, and the team's 1.2 sacks per game were tied for worst in the league.
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Here's what to know about the Bears in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
Bears draft picks 2023: When does Chicago pick?
- Round 1, Pick 10: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
- Round 2, Pick 53: DT Gervon Dexter, Florida
- Round 2, Pick 56: CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL)
- Round 3, Pick 64: DT Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
- Round 4, Pick 115: RB Roscho Johnson, Texas
- Round 4, Pick 133: WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati
- Round 5, Pick 148: LB Noah Sewell, Oregon
- Round 5, Pick 165: CB Terell Smith, Minnesota
- Round 7, Pick 218: DT Travis Bell, Kennesaw St.
- Round 7, Pick 258: S Kendall Williamson, Stanford
LIVE: Grades & analysis for every pick in 2023 NFL Draft
Bears NFL Draft order 2023
| Round | Pick, overall |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 (from NO via PHI) |
| 2 | 53 (from BAL) |
| 2 | 56 (from JAX) |
| 3 | 64 |
| 4 | 115 (from NO) |
| 4 | 133 (from PHI) |
| 5 | 148 (from NE) |
| 5 | 165 (from PHI) |
| 7 | 218 |
| 7 | 258* |
*Compensatory selection
Bears NFL Draft needs
- Offensive line: Offensive line is an absolute imperative. If the Bears are serious about committing to Fields, they're going to have to protect him. Fields is capable of extending plays with his legs, but it would be nice to see what he can do with a pocket again. With that in mind, shoring up his blocking should be priority No. 1.
- Interior defensive line: The Bears can't fix all of their holes in one go, but they also need to improve in the interior DL. They were toward the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed last year, and that was a big part of their struggles.
- EDGE: In this league, pressure is vital. The Bears need to draft someone capable of getting to the quarterback. From there, they can start to address pieces in their secondary once they're asking less of them.
Bears mock draft 2023
Here is how the Bears' draft will unfold in 2023, according to TSN's Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | Peter Skoronski | OT | Northwestern |
| 2 | 53 | B.J. Ojulari | EDGE | LSU |
| 2 | 61 | Keion White | DT | Georgia Tech |
| 3 | 64 | Gervon Dexter | DT | Florida |
| 4 | 103 | Tavion Thomas | RB | Utah |
| 4 | 133 | Joe Tippmann | G | Wisconsin |
| 5 | 136 | A.T. Perry | WR | Wake Forest |
| 5 | 148 | Ivan Pace Jr. | LB | Cincinnati |
| 7 | 218 | Malik Cunningham | QB | Louisville |
| 7 | 258 | Aubrey Miller | LB | Jackson State |
