The Chicago Bears are sitting at No. 9 in the 2023 NFL draft, where general manager Ryan Poles is in a good position to fill one of their pressing needs on the roster.
The team’s biggest needs remain in the trenches with the defensive and offensive lines. You have to believe the Bears target one of those positions with that first selection.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune revealed his latest mock draft, where he has the Bears taking the first offensive tackle on the board — but it’s not Paris Johnson Jr. or Peter Skoronski. In this mock, Chicago lands Georgia’s Broderick Jones at No. 9.
GM Ryan Poles can go with a lineman on either side of the ball and declare he has filled a pressing need. As a former offensive lineman — and having made only one major addition in free-agent guard Nate Davis — it seems smart to stay on the O-line. Jones is a redshirt sophomore with a sturdy frame and good athleticism. Bears coaches can sort out which side he’ll play on.
The offensive line remains a work in progress, especially when it comes to protecting quarterback Justin Fields. But right tackle is the one gaping hole. Braxton Jones is penciled in at left tackle right now, and he figures to develop there barring the addition of someone like Johnson. Broderick Jones could be plugged in at right tackle and giving the Bears a pair of Jones bookends.
