The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon.
2022 record: 3-14 | First-round pick: No. 1 | Team needs: OL, DL, WR, LB
Snapshot: Statistically, the Bears had the least effective pass rush in the NFL this season, so a defensive lineman would make sense if they stay at No. 1. Should Chicago trade back, it could look for replacements for defensive end Robert Quinn and linebacker Roquan Smith, both of whom were traded during the season, or give QB Justin Fields another passing weapon.
Potential first-round picks: Will Anderson, LB, Alabama; Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia; Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
The last time a team traded for the No. 1 overall pick, the Los Angeles Rams sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two third-round picks to the Tennessee Titans to select Jared Goff in 2016.
If a team is willing to give Chicago a similar haul, it should jump at the chance to add such draft capital.
With no need for a quarterback, the Bears’ best play appears to be to trade the top pick to a quarterback-needy team desperate to land Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Kentucky’s Will Levis. The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Titans could be potential trade partners.
Should Chicago move back, drafting a defensive lineman or outside linebacker capable of rushing the QB makes the most sense. No team generated fewer sacks (20), quarterback pressures (162) or QB hurries (116) than the Bears this season.
Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson, Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski or TCU receiver Quentin Johnston could all be in play as well if Chicago moves back in the first round.
