College Football National Championship features these 2023 NFL Draft prospects the Bears should scout

The 2023 College Football National Championship game between Georgia and TCU kicks off Monday night at 7:30 p.m. EST and will feature several quality 2023 NFL Draft prospects who will rank high on the Chicago Bears’ wish list.

Here’s a look at the top draft prospects from each squad.

TCU NFL Draft Prospects

Quentin Johnston, WR

-Johnston is considered the top wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft and is trending as a lock to be a top-20 selection. Standing an estimated 6’4′ and 215 pounds, Johnston has the size/speed/playmaking ratio that will appeal to teams searching for a go-to guy in their passing game.

Quentin Johnston is VERY good pic.twitter.com/xhY0sOxZN4

— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) January 1, 2023

The Bears will no doubt have Johnston at or near the top of their offensive targets. He could be in play for GM Ryan Poles if Chicago trades out of the No. 1 overall pick. Adding a weapon like Johnston to QB Justin Fields’ arsenal is the kind of move all Bears fans will welcome.

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB

-A tad undersized at 5’9′ and 177 pounds, Hodges-Tomlinson has above-average athletic ability and man-coverage skills. He profiles as a Day-2 pick who could fill a nickel role for teams with established starters on the outside. His physical limitations (size) will push him down the draft board a bit, but he’s a scrappy defender who could be a bargain if he falls into Day 3.

Steve Avila, iOL

Avila, a 6’4′, 334-pound guard, is more power than a finesse player whose experience as a starter is a plus. He probably won’t fit what the Bears prefer in their offensive linemen, but with Chicago’s need for talent up front, Avila could be an unexpected target on Day 3.

Kendre Miller, RB

Miller exploded for 1,399 yards (6.2 ypc) this season and was named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. He’s more of a consistent runner than an explosive one who can also provide production in the passing game. Miller possesses good size (6’0′, 220) but needs to run with more authority. He has good instincts and feel for the position but doesn’t profile as a feature back.

The Bears like adding running backs later in Day 3, which is where Miller will likely come off the board.

Georgia NFL Draft Prospects

Jalen Carter, DL

Carter is one of the top two non-quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft and is in contention to be chosen by the Bears with the first overall pick if they keep it. He’s a disruptive 3-tech defensive lineman who can fill a critical role in coach Matt Eberflus’ defense. While a trade out of the No. 1 pick is the most likely scenario for the Bears, if their grade on Carter is high enough, he’ll be in Chicago in 2023.

My God, Jalen Carter

pic.twitter.com/mCIM21UW33

— CJ Errickson (@CJE_NFL) January 9, 2023

Keele Ringo, CB

Another standout on the Bulldogs’ defense, Ringo is in the conversation to be the first cornerback selected in April. While a tad inconsistent, his athletic upside is very real. Ringo ranked sixth on Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List at the start of the 2022 season. He has great size (6’2′, 210 pounds) and should run in the low 4.3s at the 2023 NFL Combine.

The Bears spent a second-round pick on Kyler Gordon last year, but if Ringo slides out of Round 1 — or within striking distance of a selection Chicago acquires if they trade out of the top pick — don’t rule him out as a target for Poles.

Nolan Smith, Edge

Smith (6’3′, 235 pounds) has 15 sacks for the Bulldogs’ defense over the last two seasons. He plays bigger than his 235-pound frame but will need to add more strength to hold up against bigger/stronger NFL offensive linemen and tight ends. His motor runs hot for four quarters, and he’ll add a nice piece to a pass rush on the next level.

The Bears must add as many pass rushers as possible this offseason, and Smith is a name to circle in the early portion of Round 2.

Darnell Washington, TE

Cole Kmet finished the 2022 season with solid numbers, but the Bears could look to add another quality tight end to the roster in the 2023 NFL Draft. Washington profiles as a second-round prospect whose size (6’7′, 270 pounds) makes him a walking mismatch in the passing game. He isn’t overly fast or twitchy, but he covers a lot of ground because of his length and will make a fantastic red-zone target.

If the Bears add a tight end in the NFL Draft, I’d imagine he’ll be more wide receiver than offensive lineman. And while Washington’s receiving chops are impressive, he wouldn’t offer the Bears much more than what Kmet’s already established so far in his career.

Note: Washington is a game-time decision for Monday night.