Bears bolster defense in new 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft

With the Chicago Bears officially eliminated from playoff contention and the college football regular season over, it’s time to start NFL Mock Draft season.

Where exactly the Bears will pick in the first round remains to be seen, but the following draft order is accurate as of December 8. As always, you may not agree with a player taken in a certain round or refuse to believe a player will fall to us where I take them, but that’s the fun of mock drafts.

Let’s go mocking.

Round 1: Will Anderson Jr. – EDGE, Alabama

Anderson would have been the clear number-one choice if he had been eligible in last year’s NFL draft, when the quarterback class was underwhelming. He’s a dominant force on Alabama’s defensive line and would be an immediate, huge upgrade for the Bears’ pass rush.

If the Bears don’t trade back from here, and if the Houston Texans go with a quarterback, general manager Ryan Poles should sprint to the podium with this pick. The back-to-back winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy going to the team Nagurski himself represented? It’s a match made in football heaven.

Round 2: John Michael Schmitz – Center, Minnesota

The 2023 draft class won’t feature a Center as highly ranked as Tyler Linderbaum was last year, but there are quite a few good ones, and Schmitz is probably the best of the bunch.

With a strong grip, great technique, and a nasty attitude, the Illinois native would bring stability to the middle of the offensive line and could be a key building block to an ascending offense. Pairing up a smart, cerebral center with quarterback Justin Fields just makes too much sense.

Round 3: Tuli Tuipulotu – Defensive End, USC

I have the Bears staying in the trenches in the third round with the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Tuipulotu led the country in 2022 with 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. This selection would bring some badly needed sack production to a Chicago defensive line that has just one sack since Week 7.

Tuipulotu and Anderson in the same draft class? Not too shabby.

Round 4: Xavier Hutchinson – Wide Receiver, Iowa State

The addition of Chase Claypool at the trade deadline moved wide receiver down the list of urgent needs, but it still needs to be addressed.

Hutchinson is a big receiver at six-foot-three and 205 pounds and can bully opposing defenders. His route running will need improvement, but he’s got good hands and can pick up plenty of yards after the catch. He’s the kind of guy who could create explosive highlights catching passes from Justin Fields.

Round 4: Owen Pappoe – Linebacker, Auburn

Despite the rise of undrafted free agent Jack Sanborn, the Bears’ linebacker cupboard is pretty bare. Enter Pappoe. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker has an incredible 40-inch vertical and a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. He’s been a leader in the Auburn locker room for two years and could also be a leader for Chicago. He’s not the biggest or strongest linebacker, but he’s smart and makes big plays.

Round 5: Riley Moss – Cornerback, Iowa

In 40 career college games, Moss has racked up eleven interceptions, twenty-five passes defended, and 156 total tackles. He’s been one of the most highly-graded cornerbacks in the Big Ten and is a high-floor draft prospect with starter potential. At worst, he’d provide reliable depth in the secondary.

Round 5: Tyler Steen – Offensive Tackle, Alabama

Steen is an intriguing prospect. Everything about his game seems to say ‘good but not great.” He’s athletic but not a freak. Strong but not a monster. Technically refined but not savvy. A true high-floor, low-ceiling prospect, but one who has left-right versatility on the line. He could make for a reliable swing tackle on the depth chart.