2023 NFL Mock Draft features Bears trading out of No. 1 overall

The Chicago Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft after losing to the Minnesota Vikings and getting much-needed help from the Houston Texans in Week 18. Armed with the most valuable asset of the offseason, the Bears can leverage the first pick for a bounty of selections. They don’t need a quarterback, and with several teams picking in the top 10 that do, the Bears can name their price.

Justin Fields’ development in 2022 was incredible. He may already be the most exciting playmaking quarterback in the league. Still, for him to take the next step in his development, Chicago must surround him with more skill position players and offensive line talent. The No. 1 pick won’t directly bring that kind of player to the Bears, but if general manager Ryan Poles trades it, the Bears can stock the roster with high-end talent for years to come.

And remember: The Bears can’t ignore their defense this offseason. Poles is expected to spend big money on free agents to level up the front seven, and the 2023 NFL Draft class is shaping up to feature two elite defensive prospects for Chicago to choose from.

But will it be with the first overall pick? According to Mike Renner’s latest mock draft for Pro Football Focus, the answer is no.

Daniel Bartel -USA TODAY Sports

Bears make trade with Colts in PFF Mock Draft

In Renner’s mock, the Chicago Bears move down to the fourth overall pick after a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, who jump into the top spot to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

“The Chicago Bears are sitting on a golden ticket,” Renner wrote. “With a quarterback talent like Young in this class, the No. 1 overall pick is going to be in high demand. The Colts make too much sense to be the team willing to offer a sweetheart deal to the Bears because a) it would still allow the Bears to be in striking distance for one of the two blue-chip defensive line prospects in the class, and b) the Colts are desperate for a franchise quarterback after years of one-season rentals at the position.”

With the fourth pick, the Bears select Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter.

“This has turned into an absolute dream scenario for the Bears,” wrote Renner. “Head coach Matt Eberflus gets the best defensive tackle prospect of the PFF college era (since 2015 draft). Carter is the three-technique they’ve been looking for, one who earned a 91.0 run-defense grade and a 90.0 pass-rushing grade in 2022.”

This really is a dream come true for Chicago. If Renner’s mock draft comes to fruition, the Bears land the player they’d strongly consider with the first pick down at No. 4 overall while securing a bounty of picks from the Colts for the trade.

The NFL Draft is the best way to rebuild a franchise. The problem is that it can often take years of successful draft classes for a team to become competitive. But the rebuilding process is expedited when a club like the Chicago Bears ends up with the first overall pick that they can trade to a quarterback-needy squad.

Bears fans want Poles to trade the pick. NFL analysts are expecting him to trade the pick. Now, it’s up to Poles to get the best deal possible.

Subscribe to the Bears Talk Podcast!

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts