2023 Mock Draft: Another NFL Draft expert thinks Bears stick with local prospect in first round

It wasn’t hard to predict who the Chicago Bears would select in the 2023 NFL draft when they had the No. 1 pick. It was between two players: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) and Jalen Carter (Georgia). But now that they’ve traded to No. 9, the range of prospects who could become a Bear in Round 1 has expanded.

One narrative around the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick appears to be crystallizing, however: GM Ryan Poles will target an offensive tackle with his first selection.

At this point, it seems the only question remaining is who. I prefer Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. Some NFL analysts think Broderick Jones (Georgia) is a better fit for what the Bears do on offense.

Meanwhile, Athlon Sports’ NFL draft expert Luke Easterling thinks it’ll be Peter Skoronski (Northwestern). He sends the local product to the Chicago Bears in his latest 2023 mock draft.

“After trading down from the No. 1 pick and loading up on additional resources, the Bears continue their rebuild by finding more help for Justin Fields,” Easterling wrote. “Skoronski is the most pro-ready offensive lineman in this draft, and regardless of whether or not he lines up at guard or tackle, he’ll be an immediate upgrade for an offensive line that needs a ton of help across the board.”

The debate over Peter Skoronski’s NFL position is reaching a boil. His arm length (under 33 inches) makes his projection difficult. He looks the part of a guard. If the Chicago Bears draft Skoronski in the first round to play right tackle, they’d be betting on him being an exception to long-held NFL principles.

I don’t think Poles is in a position to take such a major gamble at this point in the Bears’ rebuild. He’s also an old-school football scout, and if he follows those old-school principles, Peter Skoronski won’t make the cut at offensive tackle.

If you favor the Chicago Bears selecting Skoronski in Round 1, then you have to be OK with them selecting a guard with that pick. And there’s nothing wrong with that if he develops into a 10-year All-Pro.