Chicago Bears 7-round Mock Draft addresses major needs after trading back in 1st round

We’ve entered the final full week before the 2023 NFL Draft, so I thought taking one last swing at a seven-round Chicago Bears mock draft would be fitting.

The trending theory on Twitter lately is that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears have engaged in trade talks regarding a swap of first-round picks. In this Bears mock draft, I make that deal happen.

The Bears send picks 9 and 103 to Pittsburgh and get selections 17 and 32 in return.

What do they do with those picks? Let’s get to the Chicago Bears mock draft.

Round 1: Broderick Jones – Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Some view Jones’ relative inexperience as a drawback to his draft profile, but I see it as another strength. He was dominant in his only season as Georgia’s starting left tackle and can still improve. He’s also a freak athlete and a mauler in the run game. After trading down from 9 to 17, this is a home run selection for the Chicago Bears.

Round 2: Jahmyr Gibbs – Running Back, Alabama

Many of you will probably hate this pick. But imagine how electric this offense would be with an improved offensive line and a running back like Gibbs. He would take pressure off Justin Fields and is one of the best playmakers in the 2023 NFL Draft. A true home-run hitter, Gibbs would add an element to the Bears’ rushing attack that’s missing with Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman.

Round 2: Tuli Tuipulotu – Edge, USC

The PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Tuipulotu took a major leap in his development in 2022. He totaled an incredible 13.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and 17 tackles for loss. Tuipulotu would bring serious heat to a Chicago Bears defensive line that averaged less than one sack per game last season.

Round 2: Derick Hall – Edge, Auburn

A solid run stuffer and pass rusher, Hall finished 2022 with 7 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, and 8 tackles for loss. He still needs to develop counters in his pass rush, but I trust head coach Matt Eberflus to get Hall to his ceiling.

Round 3: Gervon Dexter – Defensive Tackle, Florida

Hays Carlyon of 1010XL joined Taylor Doll on the Windy City Gridiron podcast last week and said that while Dexter’s stats don’t jump off the box score, he was the only threat on that Florida line and routinely had to fight double teams.

Possessing rare athleticism for a man his size, Dexter could be a steal if he is coached up to his full potential. The Bears haven’t added any depth behind Justin Jones at the 3-tech, Dexter could be that guy.

Round 4: Andrew Vorhees – Guard, USC

Vorhees tore his ACL at the NFL Combine but stayed to put up a superhuman 38 reps on the bench press. His rookie season will likely be a complete loss due to the injury, but he’s just too good to pass up in Round 4. Draft him and stash him for 2024 and beyond.

Round 5: Ricky Stromberg – Center, Arkansas

Stromberg may be projected as an early Day 3 pick, but I don’t see a large gap between him and any of the top-ranked centers. He’s a vicious mauler with a penchant for pancaking defenders. He’s a highly experienced 4-year starter in the SEC and Is extremely smart. Stromberg is the kind of center who will be his quarterback’s best friend.

Round 5: Zack Kuntz – Tight End, Old Dominion

Adding Kuntz would give the Bears a potentially dominant red zone target. Standing 6-foot-8 with a 40-inch vertical, Kuntz is the perfect security blanket for any quarterback. Throw the ball anywhere in his zip code, and he’s likely to come down with it.

Round 7: Joey Fisher – Offensive Tackle, Shepherd

Last week I had the privilege of interviewing Fisher (you can read that interview here), and he sounds exactly like a Chicago Bears offensive lineman. His tape shows a vicious mauler in the run game and a smart pass protector on the outside. He comes from a small school and needs time to develop, but he has all the tools to be a reliable swing tackle (or guard) for a long time.

Round 7: Anthony Johnson Jr. – Defensive Back, Iowa State

With 54 starts, Johnson comes into the draft with a bevy of experience at his position. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, he has a good frame and posted solid numbers at the NFL Combine. A willing and able tackler, he could provide reliable depth to Chicago’s secondary and special teams.

How would you grade this Chicago Bears mock draft? Send me your thoughts and your mock draft on Twitter.