2023 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears 7-round Pre-Super Bowl Mock Draft with Trades

With the conference championships and the Super Bowl approaching, it’s time for one last mock draft before the 2022 season ends.

In this mock, the Chicago Bears make a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, sending them the first overall pick in exchange for the fifth and twentieth overall selections. The Seahawks make this deal because Geno Smith is not their long-term franchise quarterback. He had a great season, but at 32 years old, he’s more of a short-term answer. Seattle needs to secure the future at quarterback, and a trade with Chicago does that.

What could the Bears do with those extra picks? Take a look!

Round 1 (via Seattle): Tyree Wilson – EDGE, Texas Tech

If any defender in the 2023 draft is close to Will Anderson Jr., it’s Tyree Wilson. He’s extremely athletic for such a big guy, but his raw power is what is so tantalizing. With his ridiculous 36” arms, Wilson can deliver a shocking body blow to the chest of most offensive linemen well before they get a hand on him.

Wilson is also dominant against the run, where the Bears gave up 160 yards per game last year, and as good as his pass rushing is, he could still get even better. That’s got to be terrifying for whoever lines up across from him.

Round 1 (via Seattle): Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Receiver, Ohio State

Smith-Njigba may have missed almost all of 2022 with an injury, but his tape from 2021 was some of the best imaginable. He runs flawless routes that put defenders on skates, has fantastic hands, and his vision and athleticism help him make plays after the catch.

Besides his injury this year, the only knock on Smith-Njigba’s game is his lack of elite speed and consistent production in college, but that shouldn’t dissuade the Bears from getting quarterback Justin Fields a potential Top 5 wide receiver.

Round 2 (via Baltimore): Jahmyr Gibbs – Running Back, Alabama

David Montgomery may not re-sign with Chicago, top free-agent options may be too expensive, and Khalil Herbert is good but not great. This is a dilemma Ryan Poles can solve by drafting Gibbs, one of the most electric playmakers in the draft, who just so happens to be a running back.

Slightly smaller than the prototypical running back, Gibbs makes up for it with incredible speed, vision, and pass-catching abilities. He’d take a lot of pressure off Fields in both the run and the passing games, and would allow offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to get really creative with his playbook.

Round 3: Andrew Vorhees – Guard, USC

Vorhees has been starting games since 2017, so he enters the NFL draft as one of the most experienced offensive linemen. His raw power lets him dominate his opponent more often than not, and he plays with the kind of mean streak that fans love. He has played at the tackle position, giving him versatility, but he’s much better on the interior. Vorhees could easily be a Day 1 starter at left guard for the Bears.

Round 4: Matthew Bergeron – Tackle, Syracuse

Bergeron has been a starter at Syracuse since his freshman year and has played at both tackle positions, giving him a bevy of experience and versatility. As a result, he’s a very smart player, but his physical attributes, like strength and quickness, are average. With enough time in an NFL weight room and some coaching, he could become a good starting tackle in the NFL, with “viable swing tackle” being a safe floor projection for him.

Round 5: Olusegun Oluwatimi – Center, Michigan

Another highly experienced lineman, Oluwatimi logged nearly 3,500 college snaps as a four-year starter at Center. He’s extremely smart and could become Justin Fields’ best friend, helping to make calls and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. However, he lacks the power to be a true force in the run game and sometimes plays too tall and gets out-leveraged. But his experience, smarts, and technical skills make him another potential Day 1 starter on the Bears’ line.

Round 5: Jacob Slade – Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

At 6’ 4” and 315 lbs, Slade has the size to play multiple positions along the line. His intensity is the most intriguing aspect of his game and what will surely make head coach Matt Eberflus happy to hear. Slade’s motor runs hot on every snap and through the whistle. However, despite his size, he lacks NFL-ready strength, and his technique needs work. Dedication in an NFL weight room and willingness to learn and be coached could make Slade a quality starter in the not-too-distant future.

Round 6: Aubrey Miller Jr. – Linebacker, Jackson State

With experience at the MIKE and WILL linebacker positions, Miller would bring versatility to a Bears’ linebacker room lacking established starters. He’s fast and has the football IQ to diagnose the offense before the snap and make a play. A reliable tackler who’s also good in coverage, Miller brings all the tools of a standout linebacker, he would just need to be coached up to his full potential.

Round 6: Zack Kuntz – Tight End, Old Dominion

Kuntz will almost certainly never be a star in the NFL or even a starter, but the Bears desperately need pass catchers. Standing at a ridiculous 6’ 8” and 251 pounds and with surprisingly deft hands, Kuntz could be a ‘security blanket’ type of guy for Fields, especially in the red zone. Just throw it up and give the big guy a chance.

Round 7: Tyson Bagent – Quarterback, Shepherd

The Bears need a quality backup quarterback who could play Fields’ style of football, and that’s who Bagent could become. Winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2021 (the Division II equivalent of the Heisman), Bagent has shifty mobility and a powerful arm. With good coaching and a mentor like Fields, he could become a highly coveted insurance policy at the most important position.

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