Chicago Bears should have no trouble solving right tackle problem in 2023 NFL Draft

In a perfect world for the Chicago Bears, need will meet value in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The list of Bears’ draft needs is a long one. The biggest is right tackle, where the void in the starting lineup is expected to be filled in the first round. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of quality prospects who qualify as plug-and-play starters when Chicago is on the clock at No. 9.

The Athletic published their initial top-100 NFL draft prospects list, and three offensive linemen appear in the top 15:

No. 6: Peter Skoronski (Northwestern), No. 12: Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State), No. 15: Broderick Jones (Georgia

Chicago Bears in OL sweet spot at No. 9

The Chicago Bears are virtually guaranteed one (or all) of them will be available when they’re on the clock in Round 1. Indeed, a team needing offensive line help could trade ahead of them. But it’s trending like the Bears will kick off the run on offensive linemen in the first round.

I don’t view Skoronski as an NFL offensive tackle. His short arms are well-documented. While some analysts think it’s nonsense, the reality is that it matters to league decision-makers.

I spent more time watching Peter Skoronski today. I focused on his pass pro and his hand placement. If you don’t think his arms will limit his ability to play OT in the NFL, go back to the tape. He rarely wins the “hand placement” battle and is more of a catch-and-absorb guy.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) March 29, 2023

Don’t misunderstand me: I’d be thrilled if the Bears select Skoronski. It’ll mean they’ve added a potential All-Pro guard. But that isn’t a critical roster weakness right now. Right tackle is.

Instead, it’s Paris Johnson Jr. who profiles as a decade-long offensive tackle with borderline elite upside. If any team trades ahead of the Chicago Bears, it’ll be for Johnson.

The more I watch Paris Johnson Jr., the more excited I get about him being the #Bears left tackle (yes, left tackle) of the future.

At the same time, the more I watch him, the more I worry there’s no chance he’s on the board at No. 9.

Tackles as talented as him don’t last to 9.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) March 29, 2023

Then there’s Broderick Jones. He has the most athletic upside and is still growing as a technician. He’s nasty at the point of attack and routinely buries his opponent into the ground. He’d be quite the Bear.

The good news for the Chicago Bears is that they can trade down from No. 9 and still land a fantastic right tackle prospect. Tennessee’s Darnell Wright, for example, is No. 24 on The Athletic’s big board. A traditional right tackle, Wright has enjoyed a positive pre-draft process and will be a first-round pick. He’s building momentum as a logical target for the Bears, assuming they trade down.

Value will meet need for the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft. It doesn’t get any better than that.