Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: Bears beef up both lines in latest 2023 mock draft

The first week of NFL free agency is in the books, so it’s time to run another seven-round Chicago Bears mock draft.

I chose not to make any trades in this one because trading the No. 9 pick will be much harder than trading the No. 1 pick unless a quarterback drops unexpectedly. And at this point, I can’t imagine Ryan Poles wanting to move back much farther than he already did (barring an offer he couldn’t refuse).

So, no trades in this one. But the Chicago Bears get better on both sides of the ball after seven rounds of picks.

Here’s my latest 2023 Chicago Bears seven-round mock draft.

Round 1: Jalen Carter – Defensive Tackle, Georgia

There’s been a lot going on off the field with Carter, but his legal issues have been cleared up, and he’s due for a private visit with the Chicago Bears. There are lingering concerns from his terrible pro day when he showed up nine pounds overweight and couldn’t complete his drills, but with all the things he had going on in his life, it’s reasonable to assume that he may not have been in the best headspace at the time.

If his visit with the Bears goes well, and he drops to nine, it’s hard to imagine GM Ryan Poles passing on Carter, given his resume.

Round 2: Matthew Bergeron – Offensive Tackle, Syracuse

With experience at both tackle positions, Bergeron brings versatility to the offensive line, allowing head coach Matt Eberflus to put his best five linemen on the field. He’s also a great fit for this offense, thanks to his mobility and fluid footwork in space. He’ll need to get stronger to be a long-term starter, but that shouldn’t be a problem.

Round 2: Nathaniel “Tank” Dell – Receiver, Houston

Even though the Bears already brought in DJ Moore, they need more playmakers, and Dell might be the most explosive receiver in this class. His diminutive size is an obvious obstacle to a productive NFL career, but his twitch and short-range speed are incredible. The guy just gets open, something the Bears did not get nearly enough of last year.

Round 3: Andre Carter II – EDGE, Army

Carter’s draft stock took a beating at the Senior Bowl when offensive linemen tossed him around, but he has a ton of potential as a third-round pick. In fairness to him, being an Army cadet made it impossible for him to train for football and carry football weight year-round like other NFL hopefuls. Now free of the Army lifestyle, he can devote himself fully to football.

In three years, this pick could be considered the steal of the 2023 draft class.

Round 4: Ricky Stromberg – Center, Arkansas

For some reason, Stromberg has flown under the radar so far in the draft process. He’s got prototypical size and strength for a center with plus athleticism, a ton of football smarts as a three-year starter, and plays with a nasty disposition that will make him a fan favorite. He’s also the recipient of the SEC’s 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the conference’s best blocker.

Round 4: Riley Moss – Cornerback, Iowa

In 40 career college games, Moss has racked up 11 interceptions, 25 passes defended, and 156 total tackles. He’s been one of the most highly-graded cornerbacks in the Big Ten and is a high-floor draft prospect with starter potential. At worst, he’d provide reliable depth in the secondary.

Round 5: Deuce Vaughn – Running Back, Kansas State

Montgomery is gone, and the Bears look to draft his replacement with the guy called ‘Double Deuce.’ He stands just five-foot-six and 180 pounds but has incredible field vision and speed after a cut. Watch his highlights, and you’ll see him constantly squeeze through an impossibly small gap in the line and burst forward at top speed on his way to a big gain. He also has plenty of experience catching the ball, providing versatility from the backfield.

Round Five: Zack Kuntz -Tight End, Old Dominion

Kuntz has been moving up draft boards since he showed out at the NFL Combine, so I have the Bears taking him in the fifth round. He’s just an athletic freak and looks like he was built in a laboratory to dominate the red zone. I love his potential and want Justin Fields to have the kind of security blanket he can provide.

Round 7: Tyson Bagent – Quarterback, Shepherd

The Bears recently signed PJ Walker to the roster, likely to serve as Fields’ backup, but nothing wrong with drafting a young quarterback in the seventh round to try to develop into something special. Bagent has a cannon of an arm and plus mobility for a guy his size (six-foot-three and 215 pounds). He won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2021, the D2 equivalent of the Heisman, and holds the NCAA record for most passing touchdowns ever with 151.