Bears

NFL mock draft: Chicago Bears beat writer Sean Hammond’s 2nd 2023 mock

Would the Bears consider a high-upside pass rusher at No. 9?

By Sean Hammond
Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski warms up before a game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in College Park, Md.

Peter Skoronski Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski warms up before a game against Maryland during the 2022 season. (Gail Burton/AP)

Every NFL Draft is unpredictable, but this year’s feels even more so.

The only sure thing seemed to be that the Bears and general manager Ryan Poles were going to trade out of the first overall pick, and that has already happened. So what happens when the first round begins April 27?

Who knows?

Shaw Local Chicago Bears beat writer Sean Hammond took a crack at it anyway. This is his second mock draft. Read his first one here.

[ Here’s 10 prospects the Chicago Bears could target with their 2 2nd-round picks ]

Note: The Miami Dolphins had their pick forfeited, so this year’s first round has only 31 picks.

TeamPlayer, CollegePositionAnalysis
1. PanthersBryce Young, AlabamaQBThis still feels like the move for the Panthers at No. 1.
2. TexansC.J. Stroud, Ohio StateQBStroud has all the tools to be a successful NFL QB. The Texans need one desperately.
3. Colts (trade with Cardinals)Anthony Richardson, FloridaQBThe Colts don’t want to miss out on QB3, especially if the Cardinals are shopping their pick. They get bold here in taking Richardson.
4. Cardinals (trade with Colts)Will Anderson, AlabamaEdgeTrade back and still land the draft’s top pass rusher? The Cardinals will absolutely take that.
5. SeahawksJalen Carter, GeorgiaDTPete Carroll is just the type of coach Carter needs, someone who is willing to give the young man a second chance.
6. LionsChristian Gonzalez, OregonCBThe Lions could go with an edge rusher here, but adding a top-tier corner to this defense is a priority after trading Jeff Okudah.
7. RaidersDevon Witherspoon, IllinoisCBIt’s time for Josh McDaniels to focus on the defense. Cornerback is a position the Raiders need to upgrade.
8. FalconsTyree Wilson, Texas TechEdgeThis might be the ideal scenario for the Falcons, who desperately need a pass rusher.
9. BearsLukas Van Ness, IowaEdgeThe Bears had 20 sacks in 17 games a year ago. Van Ness has all the tools to aid the Bears where they need help most.
10. Buccaneers (trade with Eagles)Will Levis, KentuckyQBThe Bucs begin life after Tom Brady. They have the draft capital to move up. Levis can begin this season behind Baker Mayfield.
11. TitansPeter Skoronski, NorthwesternOT/OGIf Levis falls to Tennessee at No. 11, he might be the pick. If not, they need O-linemen.
12. TexansNolan Smith, GeorgiaEdgeAfter taking a QB at No. 2, the Texans look to bolster their defense. They need a receiver, too, but it will be hard to pass up an edge rusher here.
13. JetsParis Johnson, Ohio StateOTThe Jets need to protect their veteran quarterback, assuming they ever finalize the Aaron Rodgers trade.
14. PatriotsBroderick Jones, GeorgiaOTThe Patriots signed Riley Reiff to play tackle, but that doesn’t mean they’re done at the position.
15. PackersMichael Mayer, Notre DameTEA tight end feels highly plausible here after losing Robert Tonyan Jr. to the Bears.
16. CommandersBrian Branch, AlabamaSThe Commanders look to bolster their secondary.
17. SteelersDarnell Wright, TennesseeOTThe Steelers need to make an upgrade at tackle.
18. LionsCalijah Kancey, PittsburghDTThe Lions grab another top defender after taking a cornerback at No. 6 overall.
19. Eagles (trade with Buccaneers)Myler Murphy, ClemsonEdgeThe Eagles look to replenish, and get younger, along the defensive front.
20. Chiefs (trade with Seahawks)Zay Flowers, Boston CollegeWRThe Chiefs move up to grab the first wide receiver off the board. Flowers is a speedy YAC machine.
21. ChargersJaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio StateWRJustin Herbert finds a new favorite target.
22. RavensQuentin Johnston, TCUWRThe Ravens keep the mini run on wide receivers going by taking the big-bodied Johnston.
23. VikingsJoey Porter Jr., Penn StateCBThe Vikings fill a need and hopefully find a cornerback who can start right away.
24. JaguarsDalton Kincaid, UtahTEWith Evan Engram on the franchise tag, the Jaguars bring in a tight end who they hope is their future at the position.
25. GiantsJordan Addison, USCWRWith a severe deficiency at receiver, the Giants will be happy if any of the top four or five receivers drop to them. They would be thrilled if it’s Addison.
26. CowboysBijan Robinson, TexasRBIf Robinson is on the board here, this feels like an inevitability. The question is: Will he fall this far?
27. BillsDrew Sanders, ArkansasLBThe Bills try to find a long, rangy linebacker who could replace Tremaine Edmunds.
28. BengalsDarnell Washington, GeorgiaTEThe Bengals need to find a replacement for Hayden Hurst, who left in free agency. Washington is tools-y, although less proven as a pass catcher.
29. SaintsFelix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas StateEdgeAnudike-Uzomah has the skillset to jump in and start for a team on the edge right now. That’s what the Saints need most.
30. EaglesEmmanuel Forbes, Mississippi StateCBForbes is a ballhawk (with 14 interceptions in three years), although somewhat thin. He has the frame to put on some muscle.
31. Seahawks (trade with Chiefs)O’Cyrus Torrence, FloridaOGThe Seahawks move back and bolster the interior of their offensive line.
Chicago BearsRyan Poles
Sean Hammond

Sean Hammond

Sean is the Chicago Bears beat reporter for the Shaw Local News Network. He has covered the Bears since 2020. Prior to writing about the Bears, he covered high school sports for the Northwest Herald and contributed to Friday Night Drive. Sean joined Shaw Media in 2016.