2023 NFL Draft: Grading Dane Brugler’s Day-2 Chicago Bears mock draft

Just when you thought the 2023 NFL mock draft season was over, welcome to Day 2. With 31 players off the board, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler reshuffled the deck and published a second and third-round mock draft.

The Chicago Bears have three picks over the next two rounds, and if Brugler’s mock draft indicates the caliber of player GM Ryan Poles might land, it’ll be a good Friday for Bears fans.

Let’s look at who Brugler sends to Chicago, and of course, we’re going to grade him.

Round 2, Pick 53: Joe Tippmann, Center, Wisconsin

Perez’s Take: I like the idea of the Chicago Bears adding a center in the second round, but I think Brugler sent the wrong one to the Windy City. Tippmann is a quality prospect who profiles as a starter along the interior, but some draft analysts view him as a guard in the pros. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz goes four picks later to the New York Giants in Brugler’s mock draft. I think Bears fans will riot if Ryan Poles passes on JMS in favor of another interior player. The former Golden Gopher would challenge to start at center for the Bears in 2023. He’s a natural at the pivot.

Grade: C+

Round 2, Pick 61: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

Perez’s Take: Brugler makes up for his swing and miss at 53 with a fantastic selection at No. 61. Brents offers a great blend of height, length, athleticism, and football instincts. I thought he had a chance to be a first-round pick Thursday night, but now that he’s slid into Day 2, he could be a popular target for teams looking to trade up for top-tier cover guy. Brents would join Jaylon Johnson as the Chicago Bears’ outside cornerbacks, allowing Kyler Gordon to slide inside.

Grade: A

Round 3, Pick 64: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame

Perez’s Take: I like Foskey as a solid edge player on early downs, but I don’t think he has the kind of juice and bend the Bears pass rush needs. He’s a linear player who wins his reps with intensity and a high motor. And while both of those traits will help him succeed in the NFL, I’d rather the Chicago Bears target Auburn’s Derrick Hall — who’s on the board in Dane Brugler’s mock draft during their first second-round pick — instead of Foskey.

Grade: C+