2023 Mock Draft: Bears bolster defensive line in 2nd and 3rd rounds

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is over, and the Chicago Bears got high marks from most analysts for selecting right tackle Darnell Wright out of Tennessee. It was a fantastic pick that continues GM Ryan Poles’ recent trend of putting premier talent around quarterback Justin Fields.

However, the Chicago Bears defensive line still needs reinforcements.

With that in mind, I ran a mock draft to see how the Bears could address that position group in the second and third rounds. There’s plenty of quality talent left on the board, and if Poles can pull a Day-2 haul like this one, he’ll be the toast of the town.

Round 2: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern

Adebawore may not fall to the 53rd pick, but we’ve seen some shocking draft day slides already. I’m not counting anything out. Despite playing outside in college, Matt Eberflus would likely move Adebawore to the interior, where he could be the game-changing 3-tech that this defense desperately needs. He set an NFL Combine record on the 40-yard dash, running it in 4.49 seconds, the fastest time by a wide margin for a player weighing 280 pounds or more.

Adebawore is explosive, fast, and smart, and this would be a home run pick for the Bears.

Round 2: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

The Bears added some rotational pieces to their defensive line in free agency, but they still need guys that keep offensive coordinators up at night. Benton comes with positional versatility and four years of starting experience at Wisconsin. Like Adebawore, he’s a strong and fast athlete, but his technique could use some coaching. I’d trust Eberflus and his coaches to do exactly that.

Benton is the kind of player who, if drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round, could emerge as the best player from their 2023 class.

Round 3: Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame

Three picks, three defensive linemen. That may be just what the Chicago Bears need.

Foskey is a prototypical 4-3 defensive end with long arms that help him get enough pressure on the quarterback to disrupt a play, even if he can’t get the sack. He’s technically sound, with 23 sacks over the last two years.