Which 2023 Senior Bowl risers are legitimate Bears NFL draft targets?

The week of practices at the 2023 Senior Bowl is in the books, and several NFL Draft prospects benefited from the three days of workouts.

The Chicago Bears has a large contingent of coaches and scouts on the ground in Mobile, Alabama, and saw up-close this list of risers who likely moved their names up the Bears’ big board.

Here are seven 2023 Senior Bowl standouts who’d make sense as Chicago Bears targets in the 2023 NFL draft.

Jaylen Reed, WR, Michigan State

Reed was one of the most well-rounded wideouts during the week of 2023 Senior Bowl practices. The nearly 5-11, 191-pound receiver flashed quality route-running and appealing twitch in one-on-one reps. He began Senior Bowl week firmly entrenched as a mid-Day-3 pick. With a strong NFL combine performance, Reed could be a viable fourth-round target for the Chicago Bears.

Tank Dell, WR, Houston

Dell may have been the most impressive receiver on either team during the 2023 Senior Bowl practices. He was uncoverable. The only concern with Dell moving forward is his 163-pound frame. His game is similar to DeSean Jackson’s, the former Philadelphia Eagles star who weighed 178 pounds in his run-up to the 2008 NFL Draft. Jackson ended up a second-round pick, Dell is a fantastic third-round target for the Bears.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

If the Bears lose David Montgomery in free agency, targeting a player like Spears (5-9, 204) would make sense. He was equal parts smooth and explosive at the Senior Bowl and answered any questions teams may have had about his ability as a pass-catcher. Spears will climb the 2023 NFL Draft position rankings over the next month or so, and may have done enough to enter the third-round conversation. That may be a bit rich for the Chicago Bears’ draft needs, but if he slips into Day 3, circle his name as a real target for GM Ryan Poles.

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

Schmitz is among the Senior Bowl’s biggest winners. There was little question about his ranking as the top center in the 2023 NFL Draft, but his performance during practice sessions has his name squarely in the discussion as the top interior offensive lineman in this year’s class. Schmitz has a chance to be a late-first-round pick, putting him out of the Chicago Bears’ draft range. But if he slides into the early portion of the second round, Poles may decide to get aggressive and move up for him.

Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

Bergeron was fantastic during practices and looks the part of a starting NFL offensive tackle. He possesses good size and a powerful lower half that he put on display in one-on-ones. Bergeron’s tape is impressive, and he confirmed his early second-round grade in Mobile. Don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the backend of Round 1.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern

Adebawore helped himself during the week of practices at the 2023 Senior Bowl. He’s on the shorter side for interior defenders at 6-1, but his 284-pound frame sports 34-inch arms. He played with good leverage and power all week and will be high on the Chicago Bears’ wish list come draft weekend. He’d be a good target in the third round.

Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin

Benton looked the part of a powerful interior defensive lineman who also possesses enough burst off the snap to threaten as a pass-rusher. His week wasn’t perfect, but he’s a prospect the Bears could target to fill the all-important three-technique in Matt Eberflus’ defense. Benton began the week with a fourth-round grade but, like several others on this list, has a chance to move up the 2023 NFL Draft rankings with a strong workout circuit.

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