The Chicago Bears traded the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for two first-rounders, two second-rounders and wide receiver DJ Moore.
While Chicago isn’t in the top spot anymore, they’re in a prime position at ninth overall to land an impact player to help bolster the roster.
In the latest round of NFL mock drafts, there seems to be a consensus among most experts that the Bears will use their first selection on an offensive tackle. And there are two prospects who are the overwhelming favorites.
We’ve rounded up the latest 2023 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Bears will go offense with their first pick — and that could include a trade down scenario.
NFL.com: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
NFL.com’s Peter Schrager has Chicago selecting Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez at ninth overall.
This strong, smart, speedy corner out of Oregon (via Colorado) is a gamer. The Bears have so many needs, and snagging a top cover man with the ninth overall choice makes them better tomorrow. He could go before Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon.
The Athletic: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler has Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter falling to the Bears at No. 9.
The Bears have spent considerable time with Carter throughout the process to better understand him as a player and person. Individual maturity is never guaranteed with prospects — and that is the risk with Carter — but his on-field impact as a three-technique in Matt Eberflus’ scheme could make the risk worth it for general manager Ryan Poles.
Pro Football Focus: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Pro Football Focus’ Arjun Menon and Brad Spielberger have Chicago landing a top offensive tackle in Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. at ninth overall.
The Chicago Bears already made the most important move they could this offseason: acquiring a true No. 1 wide receiver in D.J. Moore for quarterback Justin Fields. In free agency, they largely focused their efforts on improving the defensive front seven.
Unless Jalen Carter is still on the board, the Bears should pivot back to offense with their first pick and reunite Fields with tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who allowed a 4.4% pressure rate on true pass sets in 2022, good for 20th in the FBS despite it being his first year starting at left tackle. Johnson played right tackle in 2021, which is where Chicago has its biggest hole along the offensive line. The Bears also deploy the popularized outside-zone-based rushing attack, and Johnson’s 85.5 run-blocking grade on outside-zone runs in 2022 ranked sixth among FBS tackles.
CBS Sports: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones is one of many who have the Bears drafting Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski at No. 9.
The Bears have been able to scout him in their backyard for some time. Maybe he’s a tackle or maybe he’s a guard in the NFL. The beautiful thing is the Bears will plug him in at both and figure it out and get a damn good player.
The Draft Network: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
The Draft Network’s Jaime Eisner also has Carter falling to Chicago at ninth overall, where the Bears will likely take him if he’s still available.
Jalen Carter decided not to make any visits to teams picking outside of the top 10—and the odds say that decision makes sense. It’s been an… uh… interesting offseason for Carter, but it wasn’t so long ago that the Bears were seriously considering him with the No. 1 overall pick. It’s tough to see him getting by the Bears here at No. 9.
Sporting News: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer has the Bears landing a top offensive lineman in Skoronski at No. 9.
The Bears have to work on their major defensive rebuild in this draft and would jump on Carter should he slips here, but they also need to focus on improving pass protection for Justin Fields after upgrading his wide receiver corps with new No. 1 D.J. Moore. Staying local for Skoronski makes sense as a means to that end with his plus athleticism made for long-term left-side success.
Yahoo! Sports: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Yahoo! Sports’ Charles McDonald also has Chicago landing a versatile offensive lineman in Skoronski at ninth overall. There are questions if Skoronski will play tackle at the NFL level, but he can also kick inside at guard.
Fox Sports: DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali and David Helman has the Bears making a surprise pick with Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey at No. 9.
The Bears are between a rock and a hard place with their interior defensive line rotation. They’ve addressed some of the outside rotation, recently signing Rasheem Green, but Chicago still lacks a blue-chip three-tech. Kancey could potentially turn into that and open up opportunities for the outside guys with the way he collapses the pocket.
Pro Football Network: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan has Chicago landing one of the top prospects in Skoronski at ninth overall.
From talking to offensive line coaches and personnel executives, Peter Skoronski will have to transition from playing left tackle to guard at the NFL level due to his lack of ideal size.
However, word around the NFL is that he truly is one of the 12-13 players who carry a true first-round grade for this draft. Each year, teams typically have anywhere from 10-15 players who have been graded with a first-round value, according to personnel sources.
Skoronski put together outstanding college tape, and he would start immediately for a team that is badly lacking blue-chip talent on the offensive line, such as the Bears.
USA Today: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz has the Bears going offensive tackle with Johnson at No. 9.
With a stated dedication to prioritizing premium positions, new general manager Ryan Poles might be drawn to an offensive tackle as he contemplates the options for using his bounty from the trade back from No. 1. Though Johnson was a backup for the Buckeyes during Justin Fields’ junior season at Ohio State, he could get the chance here to be a long-term pass-protecting solution for his friend and former teammate.
Chicago Tribune: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs believes Chicago will target a top offensive tackle in Johnson at ninth overall.
Ryan Poles’ greatest roster need is to stock the defensive front with edge rushers and at least one tackle. The strength of the draft if the Bears don’t find a partner to trade down is at offensive tackle — and Poles can more than justify adding protection for quarterback Justin Fields.
NFL.com: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
NFL.com’s Maurice Jones Drew believes the Bears will use their first pick to help quarterback Justin Fields with Skoronski, a top offensive lineman, at No. 9.
The Bears must build their offensive line to protect their franchise quarterback, who was sacked 55 times last season (tied for most in the NFL).
Pro Football Focus: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner doesn’t believe Skoronski’s position fit will stop Chicago from selecting him at ninth overall.
Who cares about positional fit on the Bears ever-changing offensive line? They just need talent in front of Justin Fields and that prevails here. Skoronski is the safest offensive line prospect in the class.
CBS Sports: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso has the Bears going edge rusher with Clemson’s Myles Murphy at No. 9.
The Bears bet on Murphy’s upside and measurables at a premium position of need.
The Draft Network: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee - TRADE!
The Draft Network’s Justin Melo has the Bears finding a trade partner in the Steelers. Chicago moves back from No. 9 to No. 17, where they also land the No. 49 pick and a 2024 second-round pick.
With the No. 17 selection, the Bears land Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles executes the rare double trade-back after previously dealing the No. 1 pick to the Chicago Bears. Darnell Wright could be Chicago’s target in a trade-back scenario. The Bears decide to continue investing in the development of franchise quarterback Justin Fields. Braxton Jones has taken steps forward at left tackle. Wright is plug-and-play at right tackle.
Bear Report: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Bear Report’s Zack Pearson believes Chicago will reunite Fields with his former Ohio State teammate in Johnson at ninth overall.
The Chicago Bears address a big need at tackle by taking Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State and re-uniting him with Justin Fields.
Draft Wire: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy has the Bears targeting one of their pressing needs on the defensive line in Murphy, who would upgrade their pass rush.
Bears Wire: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia - TRADE!
Bears Wire’s Jarrett Bailey has Chicago trading back eight spots with Pittsburgh. In this trade, the Steelers get No. 9 and the Bears get Nos. 17 and 49 picks.
Keeping Justin Fields upright needs to be the Bears’ top priority.
Vikings Wire: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Vikings Wire’s Matt Anderson believes the Bears will land one of the top offensive linemen in Skoronski at No. 9.
The Bears should seek help for Justin Fields by improving their offensive line. Skoronski possesses solid technique and athleticism, making him a promising prospect who could start right away. His strengths, including position and scheme versatility, would provide the Bears with flexibility as they construct their offensive line.
Falcons Wire: OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Falcons Wire’s Matt Urben, like many, believes that Chicago will select Skoronski with the ninth overall pick.
The Consensus
Most experts believe the Bears will select an offensive tackle with the ninth overall pick, where it’s overwhelmingly in favor of Peter Skoronski and Paris Johnson Jr. There are also a couple who have Chicago finding a trade partner in the Steelers at No. 9.
- OT/OG Peter Skoronski – 8
- OT Paris Johnson Jr. – 4
- DT Jalen Carter – 2
- EDGE Myles Murphy – 2
- CB Christian Gonzalez – 1
- OT Broderick Jones – 1
- DT Calijah Kancey – 1
- OT Darnell Wright – 1
