Which prospect do most mock drafts have the Bears taking in the 2023 NFL Draft?

There’s an ongoing debate about what the Chicago Bears should do with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Most Bears fans want GM Ryan Poles to trade out of the No. 1 selection, but until a trade happens, Chicago is “stuck” with the pick.

The Bears put to rest any speculation they’d use the No. 1 pick on a quarterback. While the rumor that Chicago will entertain the idea of trading Justin Fields has never been taken seriously by Bears fans, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer confirmed last week that Chicago is all-in on Fields in 2023 and beyond.

Those late-night conversations during the Senior Bowl have their benefits, it appears.

So what will Poles do if he remains on the clock?

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Most mock drafts have Chicago Bears taking Will Anderson Jr.

Georgia’s Jalen Carter is gaining momentum in the fan base as the top prospect for the Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft, but most mock drafts still have Chicago taking Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr.

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, which aggregated 51 Bears mock drafts, 65.6% of those mocks have Anderson as the pick.

Carter is next, with 30.2% of mocks selecting him.

The only other 2023 NFL Draft prospect to crack the top three is Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. He gets sent to the Bears in just 1.4% of mocks.

Will Anderson Jr. is the best pass-rusher in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears can’t go wrong if they keep the No. 1 overall pick. Anderson is the best pass-rusher in this year’s class, and for a defense that finished last in the NFL in sacks in 2022, he’d be a welcomed addition.

Carter, like Anderson, is a game-wrecker along the defense’s interior. He also possesses pass-rush upside from the three-technique, and with the importance placed on that position in Matt Eberflus’ defense, the swell around Carter being the preferred choice makes sense.

For now, the 2023 mock drafts favor Anderson. Much can change over the next few months, including the Bears trading out of the top spot.

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