The Chicago Bears had the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft before pulling off an absolute blockbuster with the Carolina Panthers.
Chicago moved down from that selection to ninth overall, picking up a future first-round pick, two second-round selections and star wide receiver D.J. Moore.
No matter what path Chicago chooses, its rebuild of the roster begins now. The 2022 NFL season represented a tear down for the new front office and coaching staff, while this spring is the first step toward building a future perennial contender for the NFC North.
As we dive into our latest Bears mock draft, the focus is on building the best team possible.
Related: Winners and losers from Chicago Bears blockbuster NFL Draft trade
Chicago Bears draft needs 2023
Heading into the 2023 offseason and NFL free agency, here are the Chicago Bears draft needs.
- OL
- DL
- EDGE
- WR
- LB
- CB
2023 Chicago Bears draft picks
Here is a list of the Chicago Bears’ draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Round 1, 9th overall (via CAR)
- Round 2, 53rd overall (via BAL)
- Round 2, 61st overall (via SF)
- Round 3, 64th overall
- Round 4, 103rd overall
- Round 4, 133rd overall
- Round 5, 136th overall
- Round 5, 148th overall
- Round 7, 218th overall
- Round 7, 258th overall
Related: 2023 NFL Draft order
Chicago Bears mock draft: Trading down from No. 1
Sportsnaut uses Pro Football Focus’ NFL Draft simulator, which provides the flexibility to trade and work through a variety of scenarios. Let’s dive into our Bears mock draft.
Round 1, 9th overall: Quentin Johnston, WR, Texas Christian
Why not double down at wide receiver? That’s the question Ryan Poles and Co. have to be asking themselves. Even after picking up D.J. Moore in the blockbuster with Carolina, wide receiver is a major need for the Bears. The big-bodied 6-foot-4 receiver would absolutely be a perfect fit in Chicago’s offense with Moore.
Last season with Texas Christian, Johnston caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards. He spread the field in a big way for the Horned Frogs’ powerhouse offense and could do the same thing out of the gate in Chicago.
Round 2, 53rd overall: Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
After trading away Robert Quinn and Khalil Mack over the past calendar year or so, pass rush has become a major need for the Chicago Bears. In fact, their leading returning sack getter is young safety Jaquan Brisker with four.
We fully expect Chicago to address this need with the ample amount of cap room it has, but acquiring a skilled youngster such as Adebawore should be in the cards. He recorded 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Northwestern. He already boasts plus-level pass-rush technique and can make an immediate impact.
Round 2, 61st overall: Andre Carter, EDGE, Army
Speaking of making an immediate impact, Andre Carter followed up a brilliant career with Army by putting up a solid performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s different from Adebawore in that we’re talking about a lanky 6-foot-6 frame that helps Carter beat protection out on the edge.
Doubling down at this position wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Chicago Bears given their issues in that area right now. Having put up 14.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his final two seasons with Army, the production is here, too.
7-round Chicago Bears mock draft
- Round 1, 9th overall: Quentin Johnston, WR, Texas Christian
- Round 2, 53rd overall: Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
- Round 2, 61st overall: Andre Cater, EDGE, Army
- Round 3, 64th overall: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
- Round 4, 103rd overall: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, Texas Christian
- Round 4, 133rd overall: Luke Haggard, OT, Indiana
- Round 5, 136th overall: Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
- Round 5, 148th overall: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
- Round 7, 218th overall: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
- Round 7, 258th overall: Tommy DeVito, QB, Illinois