Chicago Bears Post-Combine 7-Round Mock Draft

With the 2023 NFL Combine over and free agency less than a week away, it’s time for one more Chicago Bears mock draft before we have several of the team’s biggest roster questions answered.

In this seven-round Bears mock draft, Ryan Poles goes for the jugular and pulls off a double trade back: first to the Colts in return for their second and fourth-round selections, plus next year’s first, and then with the Titans for their third-round selection, next year’s second, and running back Derrick Henry.

Yes, the Bears exit the 2023 NFL Draft with Derrick Henry.

Rumors have surfaced that the Titans are attempting to shop their star running back, and for this mock, I made the deal. Yes, Henry is 29 years old. But he’s averaged 4.7 yards per carry the last three years and would take tremendous pressure off Justin Fields. Even if he only gives Chicago two productive years, I’d call that a win.

Now, on to the draft.

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

The Combine was a fairly disappointing affair for most wide receivers, but not for Smith-Njigba. He put up the best times for the three-cone and short shuttle agility drills for a wide receiver, numbers that are very similar to Cooper Kupp’s. It’s easy to forget, thanks to an injury that sidelined him most of this year, but in 2021 we talked about Smith-Njigba the way we talk about Marvin Harrison Jr. now.

At eleventh overall, the Chicago Bears get Justin Fields his WR1.

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

The only draft prospect with a brighter future at right tackle than Wright is Dawand Jones, and that’s only thanks to his God-given size. But Wright is a big man in his own right, with a powerful grip and phenomenal technique. He would walk into Halas Hall on Day 1 as the starting right tackle.

Round 2 (via BAL): Adetomiwa Adebawore – EDGE, Northwestern

Adebawore had arguably the best Combine performance of them all this weekend. The 282-pound pass rusher ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, posted a ten-foot-five broad jump, and hit 27 reps on the 225-pound bench press. He still needs to be coached on technique and counter moves, but this athleticism can’t be taught. You have to imagine Matt Eberflus would pound the table for this guy in the second round.

Round 3: Jack Campbell – Linebacker, Iowa

Another prospect who benefitted from an excellent Combine performance, Campbell has all the tools and the build of a prototypical MIKE linebacker. If he makes it to the first pick of the third round, he would be an absolute steal and likely a long-term fixture of Eberflus’ defense.

Round 3 (via TEN): Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson – Cornerback, TCU

Nephew of the Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, this Tomlinson has a ton of potential, but a listed size of five-foot-eight and 178 pounds drops him down some draft boards. Still, his Combine numbers were impressive, as were his stats at TCU (41 passes defensed in four seasons and allowed just a 34.6% completion rating). He would make for a fantastic nickel between Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.

Round 4: Karl Brooks – Defensive Tackle, Bowling Green

Brooks put up a dominant performance during Senior Bowl week but was inexplicably snubbed from the Combine. He was hyper-productive in college, racking up 22 sacks over the last three years, and boasting a good frame of six-foot-four and 300 pounds. Brooks is exactly the high-motor 3-tech that Eberflus has been looking for.

Round 4 (via IND): Chandler Zavala – Guard, North Carolina State

Zavala is flying under the radar now, and for no good reason. He’s a big-bodied left guard from the ACC with a penchant for pancaking defenders. He’s a bully in the run game, but his best work is in the pass protection game, which should be music to Bears fans’ ears.

Round 4: Viliami Fehoko – EDGE, San Jose State

Another legacy draft prospect, Fehoko, is the second cousin of stud defensive tackle Vita Vea. Fehoko’s motor runs hot on every snap, and he has improved as a pass rusher each season. He can also play from multiple positions along the line. He has a lot of learning to do if he wants to have a long career in the NFL, but I believe Eberflus can coach him up to his full potential.

Round 5: Ricky Stromberg – Center, Arkansas

Winner of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy awarded to the conference’s best blocker, Stromberg brings a ton of experience, a real mean streak, and a vast well of knowledge to the table. He acquitted himself well at the Combine with good measurements and some fairly athletic scores and would likely be Chicago’s Day 1 starting Center if they don’t sign anyone in free agency.

Round 5: Zack Kuntz – Tight End, Old Dominion

If you’re a long-time reader of Bears Talk (which you ought to be), you know I’ve been raving about this guy for months, and his Combine performance finally got everyone to notice. Six-foot-seven, 255 pounds, with long arms and big hands, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds and posted a 40′ vertical jump.

At this point, I’m begging the Bears to bring him to Chicago and give Justin Fields a big-time red zone target.

Round 7: Tyson Bagent – Quarterback, Shepherd

Another player I’ve been hyping up for months. Bagent has finally gained widespread attention due to respectable performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He throws the ball with good zip and accuracy and has the wheels to escape pocket chaos when needed. He won the Harlon Hill Trophy (the Division II equivalent of the Heisman) in 2021 and set the NCAA record for most touchdowns ever with 151.

The Bears need a backup quarterback who can play the same style of football as Fields, and that’s what Bagent does.

Subscribe to the Bears Talk YouTube Channel:

Subscribe to the Bears Talk Podcast:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts