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USA Today 2023 mock draft sends Bears plug-and-play OT in Round 1

In the latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft from USA Today, the Chicago Bears pick a prototype offensive tackle in the first round

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3 years ago

April 22, 2023

Bryan Perez

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The 2023 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 27, and despite Round 1 inching ever closer, it’s still anyone’s guess who the Chicago Bears will select at No. 9.

If you’re in the bucket of Bears fans advocating for the best player available, you may hope DL Jalen Carter slides or CB Christian Gonzalez is the pick. If you’re more into GM Ryan Poles filling roster needs, then offensive line will rank at or near the top of your list.

In the latest 2023 NFL mock draft from USA Today, roster needs win out. The Chicago Bears select Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round.

“With a stated dedication to prioritizing premium positions, new general manager Ryan Poles might be drawn to an offensive tackle as he contemplates the options for using his bounty from the trade back from No. 1,” USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Though Johnson was a backup for the Buckeyes during Justin Fields” junior season at Ohio State, he could get the chance here to be a long-term pass-protecting solution for his friend and former teammate. “

Indeed, Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski is the best all-around offensive lineman in the 2023 draft class. But he doesn’t fill that pesky need at offensive tackle. Skoronski fans will argue his success at left tackle in college indicates his likely NFL success on the edge. But that’s misguided. The NFL is and always has been about prototypes. For offensive tackles, the most important measurement is arm length. Skoronski’s don’t measure up. In this mock draft, Skoronski goes 11th to the Tennessee Titans.

Perhaps Poles will overlook roster needs. He could decide that a potential All-Pro guard is the best use of this first-round pick. I just don’t see it happening.

It’s worth noting that in USA Today’s mock draft, RB Bijan Robinson gets picked one spot before the Chicago Bears at No. 8. There’s been some late smoke about Chicago being a player for Robinson in Round 1. Bears fans may not like it, but if Robinson has the highest grade and the Chicago Bears can’t trade out? He could be the pick.

We’ll have all our Chicago Bears NFL draft questions answered in just a few days.

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