Grading Dane Brugler’s latest Chicago Bears 2023 mock draft

The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler published a new seven-round NFL mock draft Monday, featuring quite the haul for the Chicago Bears.

Brugler, who authors the industry’s top draft guide aptly named “The Beast,” is arguably the most informed NFL Draft analyst. Indeed, it’s impossible to hit the mark on all seven rounds, no matter how much intel you have. But anytime Brugler publishes a mock draft, pay attention.

Chicago Bears fans will certainly hope Brugler’s latest mock draft turns into reality. It’s arguably the best seven-round haul I’ve seen since 2023 mock drafts began publishing.

Here’s a recap of who the Bears end up with and a grade for each pick.

Round 1: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

Perez’s Take: If the Bears end up with Jalen Carter, who was in the mix to be their selection if they kept the No. 1 pick, it’ll be like a gift from the football gods. At least, it will be on paper.

The knock on Carter is two-fold. First, he doesn’t play every snap with 100% effort. Whether that can be coached out of him is a great mystery. It’s a flaw that can ruin the most promising of careers. Second, Carter’s off-field decision-making isn’t first-round worthy. If he can’t be trusted away from the facility, Bears coaches will have difficulty trusting him on the field.

It’s unfair to pass judgment on Carter from where we sit. We don’t have all the information to decide whether Carter is a risky pick. Based strictly on what he’d add to the Chicago Bears’ defense at the all-important 3-tech, he’s a home run.

GRADE: A-

Round 2: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

Perez’s Take: Bergeron is a player Chicago Bears fans must familiarize themselves with. He’s a versatile prospect who projects as a quality tackle and guard. The Bears need to focus on building the best starting offensive line possible. Bergeron profiles as a great consolation prize if GM Ryan Poles passes on Paris Johnson Jr. and Peter Skoronski in the fist round. He’d start for Chicago — somewhere — in 2023.

GRADE: A

Round 2: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

Perez’s Take: The more I watch Brents, the more excited I get about his NFL upside. He’s the best blend of size, length and athleticism at the cornerback position in this year’s draft. I have no idea why he isn’t consistently appearing in the first round of mock drafts. Brents dominated at the 2023 Senior Bowl, and had he played at Ohio State or Alabama, he’d be in the mix to be a top-20 selection.

The Chicago Bears will address cornerback early in the 2023 draft. I think the second round makes sense, and Brents, if he’s on the board, is a slam dunk.

GRADE: A+

Round 3: Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn

Perez’s Take: This is an incredible start for the Chicago Bears. Hall, like Brents, is one of the most underrated defenders in the 2023 draft. His blend of speed and power off the edge makes him a safe projection as an NFL pass rusher. It won’t surprise me if Hall becomes more productive in the pros than some edge defenders selected in the first round. I don’t think he’ll last this long on draft weekend, but if he does, he’s a plug-and-play starter for Chicago.

GRADE: A

Round 4: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State

Perez’s Take: Hutchinson is a well-rounded pass-catcher who will offer his quarterback a viable target on all three levels of the passing game. He’s a good enough athlete to stress defensive backs on deep routes, and he’s physical enough to win at the catch point in contested situations. The Chicago Bears will have a void at wide receiver after the 2023 season with the expected departure of either Darnell Mooney or Chase Claypool. Hutchinson is a fantastic developmental prospect to serve as the WR4 in 2023, with the upside for a bigger role in 2024.

GRADE: B+

Round 4: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State

Perez’s Take: Center remains a question mark for the Chicago Bears as the 2023 NFL Draft approaches. Veteran Cody Whitehair will likely kick inside. Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis will man the starting guard positions. But a young developmental center needs to be added to the roster, making Wypler, an accomplished starter at Ohio State, a top-notch target on Day 3.

GRADE: B

Round 5: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

Perez’s Take: Brown is a solid running back prospect who projects as an RB2 in the NFL. With Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman entrenched at the top of the depth chart, Brown would offer the Chicago Bears a rotational back who can earn a bigger chunk of carries in 2024. I’d prefer a more explosive running back be added to the offense. Sure, Brown ran a 4.43, but he doesn’t play that fast. That said, he’s good value at this point in the 2023 draft.

GRADE: C+

Round 5: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest

Perez’s Take: Adding depth to the defensive line is a wise decision for a team that had so many struggles on defense in 2022. Turner won’t be a starter in the NFL, but with Jalen Carter already added in this mock draft, the Wake Forest standout would give Matt Eberflus depth behind Carter, Justin Jones, and Andrew Billings.

GRADE: C+

Round 7: Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State

Perez’s Take: Hickman is a two-year starter for the Buckeyes who’d upgrade the Chicago Bears’ special teams unit as a depth defender in the secondary.

GRADE: C+

Round 7: Jose Ramirez, Edge, Eastern Michigan

Perez’s Take: The Chicago Bears’ pass rush was invisible in 2022, so adding a player who ranked second in FBS in sacks last season is never a bad pick. Ramirez totaled 12 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2022. He’d have a chance to crack the active roster as a pass-rush specialist despite his 6-foot-2, 242-pound frame.

GRADE: C+

OVERALL GRADE: B+

Final Assessment: Dane Brugler’s mock draft adds four potential starters with the first four selections and a handful of quality depth and special teams contributors after that. Moreover, several of Brugler’s selections are a long play, they’ll be a bigger factor in 2024 and beyond.

Hopefully, Ryan Poles is taking notes.