Could the Chicago Bears select a cornerback in the 1st round? This USA Today mock draft thinks so

One position that’s rarely mentioned as a high priority in the 2023 NFL Draft for the Chicago Bears is cornerback. With Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon locked in as a quality starting tandem, Bears GM Ryan Poles is expected to target an offensive or defensive lineman with the No. 9 pick.

But a new mock draft from USA Today takes a unique spin on Chicago’s selection.

How about Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez in a Bears uniform?

“The 6-1, 197-pound All-Pac-12 performer had four INTs and seven passes defensed in 2022 and showcased his explosive athleticism at the combine, running a 4.38 40-yard dash, posting a 41½-inch vertical leap and broad jumping 11 feet, 1 inch,” USA Today’s Nate Davis wrote. “The Bears, who surrendered the most points in the NFL in 2022 (27.2 per game), need help throughout their defense, though corner has been especially problematic despite the recent second-round picks invested in Jaylon Johnson (2020) and Kyler Gordon (2022).”

Chicago Bears will focus on OL, DL in 2023 NFL Draft

Regardless of how talented Gonzalez is, I don’t think the Bears will go this route in the first round. Chicago must focus its rebuild in the NFL draft from the inside out, which means an offensive tackle to protect Justin Fields or a defensive lineman to harass opposing quarterbacks.

Christian Gonzalez won’t wait long to hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft, and there’s a chance he could get selected before the Chicago Bears are on the clock anyway. He’s a popular pick for the Detroit Lions at No. 6 overall in mock drafts.

A more likely projection for the Bears at No. 9 is Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. or Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski. Both offensive linemen are plug-and-play starters, with Johnson profiling as the offensive tackle with the most upside in the 2023 draft.