Here’s who ESPN predicts will be selected ninth overall in 1st round

The Chicago Bears currently hold the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. There’s a chance GM Ryan Poles will trade out of that selection to add more picks to his arsenal. But if a “blue player” is on the board when the Bears are on the clock, Chicago will likely stay put.

The list of potential blue players on the Chicago Bears’ draft board is short. Will Anderson (Edge, Alabama) is certainly one of them. Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas) could be one as well. Jalen Carter (DL, Georgia) will have a big grade for his on-field play but off-field concerns could impact his final evaluation. Cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) and Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) are also in the mix.

The Bears’ biggest NFL draft need is at offensive tackle. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. feels like the most logical candidate for Chicago because of his prototype makeup. Georgia’s Broderick Jones’ upside as a bookend is enticing, as is Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, who offers positional versatility.

At this point in the 2023 NFL draft process, predicting who the Chicago Bears will select is a challenge. The range of candidates who could call Chicago home by the end of draft weekend is wide. But if ESPN’s analytics are accurate, Skoronski has the best odds.

At least, he has the best chance of being the ninth player picked in Round 1.

ESPN published a fantastic tool that allows fans to filter odds for each player and where they’ll be selected in the first round. Skoronski sits atop the list of prospects who will be picked at No. 9, with more than a 20% chance.

Interestingly, the next-best odds belong to Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness. The Chicago Bears’ need for an edge rusher makes this a logical outcome. Gonzalez and Witherspoon are third and fourth, respectively.

Peter Skoronski would be a risky pick for the Chicago Bears

I’ve been pounding the table for Paris Johnson Jr. to be the Bears’ pick in the first round because of his positional fit in the pros. His success as a starter at offensive tackle for Ohio State translates well to the NFL. He has the necessary length and athletic ability to play on the edge.

Skoronksi, meanwhile, will face challenges against NFL edge rushers. His 32 1/4-inch arms don’t meet the NFL’s minimum requirements for tackles. Indeed, he’s had success against college edge rushers. He’s been a dominant player for Northwestern. And while it may seem silly to suggest arms that are an inch or two too short will force college tackles to play guard in the pros, it’s a reality of the game.

The Chicago Bears can’t afford to spend a first-round pick on a guard, especially not after improving the position in free agency. Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins are a quality starting tandem. The Bears must be certain that Skoronski can be a long-term starting right tackle to call his name in Round 1. Otherwise, they should look elsewhere with the ninth pick.