Chicago Bears 2023 Mock Draft: 7-round mock features TWO trades in 1st round

The Super Bowl is just days away now, which (sadly) means the 2022 NFL season is almost over. For fans of teams like the Chicago Bears, it means the real fun is about to begin: the 2023 offseason. It also means even more 2023 mock drafts. So, why not get one more in before the big game?

According to Bears Twitter, the best-case scenario for Chicago in the 2023 NFL Draft would be to trade back with the Houston Texans at No. 2 overall, then trade back again with the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in the Bears having the fourth overall pick. Is this realistic? It’s never been done before, but we gave it a shot in this mock draft.

In the two trades, the Bears gained two second-round picks, a seventh, and a second-round pick in 2024. Let’s see how those picks can build a competitive franchise around Justin Fields.

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Round 1 (via IND): Will Anderson Jr. – EDGE, Alabama

This is the absolute dream scenario for many Bears fans, trade back twice from No. 1 overall and still get arguably the best player in the draft. In three years at Alabama, Anderson racked up 207 quarterback pressures, 34.5 sacks, and back-to-back Bronko Nagurski Trophies. Few NFL draft resumes have ever looked this good.

Round 2 (via HOU): John Michael Schmitz – Center, Minnesota

Perhaps the player who raised his draft stock the most during the Senior Bowl week. Schmitz is easily the top-rated center prospect and may have played his way into the first round. If he falls to the mid-30s and the Bears pick up a draft selection here, they’ll grab this mauler from Flossmoor, Illinois.

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Round 2 (via IND): Darnell Wright – Offensive Tackle, Tennessee

Wright is probably the best right tackle in the upcoming draft, and that’s exactly where the Bears’ offensive line needs help the most after center. He may need to drop weight to be a better fit in Luke Getsy’s offense, but the talent is undeniable.

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

The running back room looks good “as is” for Chicago, but Gibbs would make it so much better. He’s an electric playmaker in ways Montgomery, and even Herbert, are not. He’s a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball, both as a runner and receiver. I would love to see how creative Getsy could get with Gibbs in his backfield.

Round 3: Keeanu Benton – Defensive Tackle, Wisconsin

Another player who shot up draft boards thanks to his Senior Bowl performance, Benton showed a relentless motor and tremendous raw physical strength, routinely dominating the players lined up across from him. He’s got a lot of room to grow when rushing the quarterback, but his ability to stuff the run is fantastic. Coming off a year of giving up 160 yards per game on the ground, Benton’s skill set will be in demand in Chicago.

Round 4: 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 in this year’s class. His raw power lets him dominate his opponent more often than not, and he plays with the kind of mean streak fans love. He has experience at tackle, 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.

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Round 5: Riley Moss – Cornerback, Iowa

In 40 career college games, Moss has racked up eleven interceptions, twenty-five passes defended, and 156 total tackles. He’s been one of the most highly-graded cornerbacks in the Big Ten and is a high-floor draft prospect with starter potential. At worst, he’d provide reliable depth in the secondary.

Round 5: Charlie Jones – Wide Receiver, Purdue

After languishing for years at Iowa, Jones transferred to Purdue and immediately became a household name, racking up 110 receptions for 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns. He lacks elite speed and is an average route-runner, but he has good size and has proven that he can be a big-time playmaker in the right offense.

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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’ll need to be coached up to reach his full potential.

Round 6: Jalen Wayne – Wide Receiver, South Alabama

At 6’ 2 and 207 pounds, Wayne has good size for a receiver and shows decent route running ability, but like Jones, lacks elite speed. A willing and able blocker, plus special teams experience, gives him added value to Getsy’s offense. Between Wayne and Jones, the Bears will still need to search for a dominant WR1, but these two help raise the floor.

Round 7: 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’ target for Fields, especially in the red zone. Just throw it up and give the big guy a chance.

Round 7 (via HOU): Tyson Bagent – Quarterback, Shepherd

In a Senior Bowl filled with bad quarterbacking, Bagent stood out as the best of the bunch, completing 17 of 22 passes for 124 yards and an interception. Not too shabby for a kid from a Division II school.

The Bears need a quality backup quarterback who could play Justin 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, which he showcased in Mobile. 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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