Here’s which offensive lineman Bears fans hope Ryan Poles selects in Round 1

Chicago Bears fans are far from unanimous about who they hope GM Ryan Poles selects in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s fair to say most fans want the Bears to solve their issue at right tackle, but a debate exists over which player is the best for the job.

This isn’t to suggest all Chicago Bears fans want the team to draft an offensive lineman. There’s plenty of support for Jalen Carter to be the guy at No. 9 overall. A section of the fanbase would be fine with a cornerback in the first round. A double-digit sack artist would be a welcomed addition, too.

It seems like Poles can’t fail. He won’t please everyone with whoever he selects in Round 1. That’s never the case. But with so many issues still plaguing this roster, whoever he settles on will represent an upgrade. There aren’t many positions on the Bears that are settled with starters and quality depth.

To clarify who Chicago Bears fans want most in the first round, I posted a poll on Twitter asking… just that. I listed three names — Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski, and Broderick Jones. The fourth option was open-ended, fans could respond with a player they wanted who didn’t appear in that list.

Ok #Bears fans. We’ve seen all the mocks. We’ve watched all the tape. Now, we just need to pass the time until the NFL Draft. So let’s have a poll! Who is your TOP target at No. 9? (Assume no trade)

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) April 9, 2023

Chicago Bears fans want Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round

Nearly 2,500 Bears fans responded, and over 70% said Johnson is their preference. Plenty of replies offered alternatives to the three offensive linemen in the poll, so check them out. But even when factoring in those replies, it’s pretty clear that Johnson is the prospect who’s most wanted in Chicago.

The biggest concern with Paris Johnson Jr. is that he could get selected before the Chicago Bears are on the clock at No. 9. If that happens, I think the odds of Ryan Poles trading down go way up. The Las Vegas Raiders pose the biggest threat at No. 7. They, like the Bears, need help along their offensive line. The Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 are a possible landing spot for Johnson too.

At this point, I’d be surprised if Johnson is on the board when Chicago selects. He’s a borderline elite offensive tackle prospect. Those guys tend to get selected in the top five, let alone ninth. Even if the Raiders and Falcons aren’t in on Paris Johnson Jr., there’s a better-than-zero-percent chance a team will trade ahead of the Bears to pick him.

I’ve long been saying I’m all for the Chicago Bears to choose Johnson in the first round. He’d be the most naturally gifted offensive tackle the Bears have had on their roster in decades.

Yes, he’s that good.

And yes, he’s more talented than Braxton Jones. In fact, Johnson profiles as a better long-term left tackle than Jones, and that’s not a knock on last year’s fifth-round pick. Jones had a fantastic rookie season and will be a quality left tackle in the NFL for a long time. Instead, it’s more about how good Johnson is and, more importantly, how good he can be as his pro career unfolds.