Set your reminders now.
On Thursday, likely a few minutes after 8 p.m., the Chicago Bears will go on the clock with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, looking to scoop up a talented and driven difference maker who can, in the words of general manager Ryan Poles, “move the needle.” Barring a trade, the Bears will use the No. 9 pick to choose the headliner of their draft class.
After trading down from No. 1 in March in a headline-grabbing deal that netted the Bears three additional picks over the next three drafts plus standout receiver DJ Moore, Poles remains pleased with the menu he likely will be choosing from when he gets his first big swing Thursday night.
So which players might be of the most interest? Here’s our list of 13 prospects who could make sense for the Bears at No. 9.
Jalen Carter, Georgia defensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-3, 314.
Why the Bears will draft him: Just watch the game video, which can look like a video game. Carter is an absolute force on the interior of the defensive line, showcasing a ridiculous combination of explosion, power and agility. He was a first-team All-American and a consistently disruptive force on a nasty Georgia defense that propelled the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles. On talent alone, Carter is widely considered the best prospect in this draft class, with the potential to quickly become an All-Pro at the next level. Combine that with the Bears’ need to bolster their defensive front and the attraction is easy to understand.
Why they won’t: Poles and coach Matt Eberflus are big on trust. They also love self-motivated, high-motor players who bring it on every snap. So even the idea of drafting Carter likely is creating anxiety inside Halas Hall, with the Bears perhaps wary of the baggage Carter may bring. NFL teams continue to dig deeper on Carter’s wiring and character after a bumpy pre-draft process. He pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor charges of racing and reckless driving in connection with a car accident in Georgia in January that took the lives of his Bulldogs teammate Devin Willock and Georgia recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy, who was driving the vehicle that crashed. At Georgia’s pro day March 15 — with a Bears contingent in attendance — Carter had to cut short his on-field workout because of cramping and stamina issues. Those trust and reliability questions can’t be minimized.
Analyst’s take: “He is just a freak show when you are watching him. It looks like he works at a different speed than everybody else on the field. The change of direction (is impressive). He can kind of teleport from one gap to the next and you are like, ‘I don’t know how he got there.’ But you’ve got no chance.” — NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-4, 313.
Why the Bears will draft him: The Bears have a pressing need for an offensive tackle, and the Park Ridge native and Maine South graduate started 33 games over three seasons at Northwestern. Skoronski, whose grandfather Bob Skoronski Sr. played offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers for 11 seasons, earned All-America honors and was the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022 after he allowed six pressures all season. ESPN analyst Todd McShay said Skoronski is efficient, does the little things right and would be a plug-and-play rookie. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said Skoronski’s film evaluation grades were “off the charts.” Multiple analysts project Skoronski to be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft, but there’s one caveat: Not everyone is sure he can play tackle in the NFL.
Why they won’t: Skoronski’s arm length — 32¼ inches — has been a topic of conversation because some analysts believe it means he would be a better guard than tackle. Skoronski brushed off such questions at the NFL combine: “It’s pretty irrelevant. I think some of my issues that have been chalked up to arm length are really just technical things I can work on and try to fix.” If the Bears believe he ultimately will be a guard, could that be enough to push them toward another prospect?
Analyst’s take: “With Skoronski, you’ve got the 32(¼)-inch arms, and there’s concern there by some teams. And some teams think he could be a Hall of Fame guard. But I personally believe — and there’s a lot of guys I’ve talked to in the league as well — he’s athletic and technically sound enough that he can thrive at tackle as well.” — McShay
Nolan Smith, Georgia edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-2, 238.
Why the Bears will draft him: Forget scheme for a minute. Athletes are athletes. Playmakers are playmakers. Leaders are leaders. Smith is all three. Talent evaluators are enamored with Smith’s speed, athleticism and feel for the game. They are equally impressed with how good of a teammate he is and convinced he will quickly become a standout at the next level, both with his ability to rush the passer and with his versatility to stop the run and drop into coverage when asked. Jeremiah labeled Smith “juicy” because of his burst off the edge. He also compared Smith to Philadelphia Eagles standout Haason Reddick because of their similarities in size and movement skills. Reddick is coming off an All-Pro season for the NFC champions in which he finished second in the NFL with 16 sacks.
Why they won’t: You can’t just discount scheme altogether. And with Smith’s size and skill set, he is an easier fit as an edge rusher in a 3-4 system while projecting more as an off-the-ball linebacker in a 4-3 defense like the Bears use. In free agency, the Bears made a big investment in Tremaine Edmunds to be their middle linebacker and added T.J. Edwards to man the weak side. As valuable of a chess piece as Smith might be, the fit probably isn’t there. He also is coming back from a torn pectoral muscle that caused him to miss Georgia’s last seven games last season. That’s a minor concern by all accounts but still worth noting.
Analyst’s take: “With Nolan Smith, you’re getting the freakish athletic ability. The speed that he brings is just so unique. … I know he’s only 238 (pounds). But, man, he plays tough. He mixes it up with bigger blockers, bigger backs. He’s not just one of those track guys, speed guys off the edge. He’s a physical run defender who is going to make you work for everything you get.” — McShay
Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-6, 271.
Why the Bears will draft him: Wilson is a “big-time athlete” and a “really talented rusher” with a “freakish wingspan and burst and the ability to use those long levers to get home,” Jeremiah said. His arms were measured at 35⅝ inches. Some analysts believe that combination of size and athletic ability make him one of the top three defensive prospects in the draft. In his final two seasons at Texas Tech, he had 27½ tackles for a loss and 14 sacks in 23 games. He was an All-American in 2022. The Bears certainly could use that talent off the edge, even if he has some development ahead.
Why they won’t: The rumor floating around during draft week is that the Houston Texans, who are picking at No. 2, are considering taking either Will Anderson Jr. or Wilson. And some mock drafts have Wilson as the second defensive player off the board. Beyond the fact he might not be available, The Athletic analyst Dane Brugler wrote that Wilson “plays too upright and needs to become craftier and more strategic in his pass rush.” Wilson suffered a season-ending foot injury in November and didn’t participate in combine workouts or Texas Tech’s pro day as he recovered.
Analyst’s take: “We talk about what you can do as a defensive line coach with somebody with that kind of ability: 6-6 and 270 with the longest arms you’ll ever see of a defensive end. So just look at him physically and athletically and say, ‘Boy.’ He did have a foot injury late. They did drop him a little in coverage, so you didn’t always see the dominance game to game you would have wanted getting after the quarterback. But somebody is going to take him early.” — Kiper
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-6, 313.
Why the Bears will draft him: They’re in the hunt for a top-tier offensive tackle, and Johnson certainly looks the part. He’s a massive individual with great length who moves with impressive agility and grace. And while he remains inexperienced at left tackle after playing just one season there in 2022, talent evaluators see growth potential that is off the charts. Johnson is a gifted pass blocker and has the quickness the Bears look for to fit their running attack. In the equation of talent, need and fit, Johnson makes a lot of sense for the Bears.
Why they won’t: It’s possible the Bears like one of the other top tackle prospects — Skoronski, Broderick Jones or Darnell Wright — more or will choose a playmaking defender instead. Johnson still needs polish and will have to improve his footwork to become a standout in the NFL. As his development unfolds, there may be some rocky times in the early going, which might not be ideal with the Bears trying to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of quarterback Justin Fields next season.
Analyst’s take: “When you look at the Bears, you say, OK, he can play left tackle, project to right tackle, he has played right guard. He was at Ohio State with Justin Fields (in 2020). You think about him as a guy who continues to develop and emerge. He has only had one year at left tackle and he’s still a developing player, which you like. He has not played his best football yet.” — Kiper
Lukas Van Ness, Iowa edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-5, 272.
Why the Bears will draft him: Van Ness, who went to Barrington High School, has “big-time, big-time explosiveness and power” and showed well against the top offensive tackles he played in 2022, Jeremiah said. In two seasons at Iowa, he had 71 tackles, 19½ tackles for a loss and 13½ sacks in 27 games, and he was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022. He was awarded both the Hawkeyes’ Coaches Appreciation Award for special teams and the Team Hustle Award for the defense last season. His versatility also might be of value for the Bears, with multiple analysts saying he has the ability to play inside and on the edge. Brugler ranked him the third-best edge rusher in this class behind Anderson and Wilson.
Why they won’t: Van Ness didn’t start a game at Iowa because of the coaching staff’s commitment to starting more veteran players, though he played a lot of defensive snaps. After just two seasons at Iowa, multiple analysts have said he still is developing and figuring it out. Jeremiah called him “kind of a bull in a china shop.” That need for development made Kiper suggest he could drop into the teens in the first round.
Analyst’s take: “Still learning, and that’s the one thing — I thought another year would have really benefited him. You look at him with the length he has, the versatility he has. The power in his pass rush is just something you see when you watch him. He’s going to keep getting better. He has the ability to play inside, outside. He plays with his feet. … There’s a lot of options for him in the first round. He’s, to me, a solid mid-to-late first round.” — Kiper
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois cornerback
Height, weight: 6-0, 181.
Why the Bears will draft him: Witherspoon was a 2022 All-American and one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back. In four seasons at Illinois, he had five interceptions, 30 passes defended and 11½ tackles for a loss. That included three interceptions and 17 passes defended in 2022. Jeremiah and McShay both raved about what Witherspoon could bring to an NFL team, noting his top-notch instincts, quickness, physicality, confidence and edge. Jeremiah added that Witherspoon is able to make plays on the ball without giving up big plays. Analysts believe Witherspoon can make a difference on an NFL defense right away, a remarkable ascent from a player who was an unrated recruit coming out of high school.
Why they won’t: Witherspoon might not last until No. 9. And while the Bears could use another cornerback, they have more pressing needs on the offensive and defensive lines. They could take advantage of a deep cornerback class — Kiper said 35 to 40 in this draft could play in the league — and use one of their later picks on the position. Beyond that, Jeremiah said he wishes Witherspoon was closer to 200 pounds and McShay said there’s some tightness to his game.
Analyst’s take: “(I) was just blown away with the instincts and just the natural feel and awareness, route recognition. He sees things before they develop. Sometimes you can see guys that have the athletic ability, and sometimes you see guys that really have studied film and they know how to play, and it’s not common when you see guys that have all that wrapped up together. He does. He is a complete package that way. I mean, I wish he was 200 pounds. He is not going to be. He is going to be a little bit lighter, but he just pulls the trigger. He does not play with any hesitation. He plays with ultimate aggressiveness and confidence and urgency.” — Jeremiah
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State wide receiver
Height, weight: 6-1, 196.
Why the Bears will draft him: While Fields was playing at Ohio State with star receivers Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams, he was always drawn to the talent of Smith-Njigba and has continued singing his praises as a pass catcher he would love to reunite with. While Smith-Njigba has average size and won’t be confused for an Olympic sprinter, he has incredible short-area quickness and a knack for separating that drives defensive backs bananas. His signature performance at Ohio State came in the Rose Bowl in January 2022, when he lit up Utah for 15 catches, 347 yards and three touchdowns. That was the exclamation point to a sophomore season in which Smith-Njigba averaged 10 catches and 157 yards over his final eight games.
Why they won’t: Smith-Njigba played in only three games and had only five catches for 43 yards during his final season with the Buckeyes, limited by a nagging hamstring issue. He wasn’t able to participate in the College Football Playoff with fears that he might risk further injury or impede his preparation for the NFL draft. (The Buckeyes lost 42-41 to Georgia in the Peach Bowl in the national semifinals on New Year’s Eve.) That wasn’t the punctuation NFL evaluators were hoping to see on Smith-Njigba’s time at Ohio State. There are also concerns about how Smith-Njigba’s lack of elite explosion could limit his NFL production. Plus, after trading for DJ Moore in March, the Bears feel better about a group of targets for Fields that includes Moore, Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet, Chase Claypool and Robert Tonyan.
Analyst’s take: “You don’t have a guy who’s going to beat you on a ton of 50-50 balls. But he does have strong hands and will make contested catches. You don’t have a guy who’s going to flat-out outrun you. But his football instincts, his feel for the game and his short-area quickness in getting in and out of breaks and then being able to separate with subtle moves, with sharp-cutting moves, is what separates him.” — McShay
Broderick Jones, Georgia offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-5, 311.
Why the Bears will draft him: Jones started 15 games at left tackle in 2022 and four in 2021 for two-time national champion Georgia. Jeremiah called him “incredibly strong” and “incredibly athletic” and said Jones’ best football is ahead of him. Jones also moves well. His 4.97-second 40-yard dash was the fastest of any offensive lineman at the combine this year. Said McShay: “I know everyone says, ‘Well, when is he going to run 40 yards?’ I get it. But go back and track all of the guys who have run sub-5-second 40-yard dashes, and it’s a pretty good list of players who have gone on to have a lot of success in the league.” He added that Jones has “the biggest upside from a physical tool standpoint of the tackles in this class.”
Why they won’t: Jones is one of the most inexperienced offensive tackles at the top of this class in terms of starts, so perhaps the Bears will go with a more seasoned player for the position, considering they have several solid options. Naturally with that inexperience, analysts think he has work to do, including Jeremiah. “He sets a little bit of a unique set where he sets a little bit flat, so there are times where guys can get upfield on him, but then he shows you the ability to recover and hang in there,” Jeremiah said. “So maybe a little top-heavy at times. He gets a little overaggressive. He is a pretty physical player, but there’s a lot to really like about him.”
Analyst’s take: “I don’t want to say late bloomer but a little bit late to the game in terms of the tape that he has put out there. But he has such quick feet. He’s an easy mover, mirrors and slides in pass protection really well. He’s got two areas that have to improve. His hand placement is a little too wide, which is easily correctable. And then he’s got to increase his lower body strength, both the anchor in pass protection and can be more dominant in the run game. But these are things that can be improved.” — McShay
Bijan Robinson, Texas running back
Height, weight: 5-11, 215.
Why the Bears will draft him: Robinson is a special runner and registers with most NFL insiders as the closest thing to a sure bet a draft will provide. Forget the modern conventional wisdom that minimizes the value of running backs and urges teams to take their swings at the position much later in the draft. When “special” comes knocking, you must consider opening the door. Robinson is special. He ran for 2,707 yards and 29 touchdowns over his final two college seasons, displaying an impressive blend of speed, power, vision and balance. He is also a reliable blocker and considered a top-tier character guy. Furthermore, his pass-catching skills may become a revelation in the NFL. What offense wouldn’t want a weapon like that?
Why they won’t: For a roster with as many holes as the Bears have, using a top-10 selection — or even a top-25 pick — on a running back would register somewhere between impractical and reckless. Over the last 10 drafts, only six running backs have been selected in the top 15: Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley. As elite as Robinson may be, the Bears have much more pressing needs on their offensive and defensive lines and a running back room that already includes Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, Travis Homer and Trestan Ebner.
Analyst’s take: “He had 91 forced missed tackles, which was the most in the (Football Bowl Subdivision) last year. And he does it with a combination of power and elusiveness for a big back at 215 pounds. Then in the passing game, he has exceptional ball skills. … I have him as one of the top five players in this entire draft class, if you’re just basing it on skill and the football player.” — McShay
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon cornerback
Height, weight: 6-1, 197.
Why the Bears will draft him: Gonzalez possesses a prototypical blend of size and speed to play at a high level in the NFL and projects to be a Week 1 starter as a rookie no matter where he lands. He can be a nightmare for receivers when playing press coverage. He also possesses impressive burst and fluidity, with McShay praising his “oily hips” and impressive length. Gonzalez has continued to develop his ability to make plays on the ball more consistently.
Why they won’t: If the Bears are intent on adding to their defensive backfield through the draft, they should note that this year’s class of cornerbacks is incredibly deep with potential starters likely available into the early parts of Day 3. Some talent evaluators question Gonzalez’s overall awareness and note that his four interceptions as a junior last season were the first four of his college career. He also needs to improve his tackling and become more reliable in run support. He is at his best in man coverage, which will prompt system-fit questions in Lake Forest.
Analyst’s take: “He is a physical freak. He ran a 4.38, one of the best 40-yard dashes (at the combine). He had a 41.5-inch vertical jump and an 11-1 broad jump. When you just watch for the blend of athletic traits you’re looking for in terms of quick feet, fluid hips, blazing top-end speed and the ability to close on receivers, he has the best pure cover-corner skill set in this year’s class. Witherspoon is more complete. But if you’re looking for the best cover corner to just take away (an opponent’s) No. 1 receiver, Gonzalez is going to be your guy.” — McShay
Myles Murphy, Clemson edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-5, 268.
Why the Bears will draft him: Murphy has size, length and explosiveness, and Jeremiah believes he only will get better as he adds more tools as a rusher. In 38 games over three seasons at Clemson, Murphy had 119 tackles, 37 tackles for a loss, 17½ sacks, six forced fumbles and five passes defended. He was a freshman All-American in 2020 and an All-ACC selection in 2022. He had a hamstring injury at the combine but ran the 40 in 4.53 seconds at his individual pro day, which would have been a top-seven time among defensive ends at the combine.
Why they won’t: McShay sees Murphy as more of a complete all-around player than an elite edge rusher. Multiple analysts say he needs to develop his plan and skills as a rusher. Jeremiah and McShay see him going in the 15-25 range, so perhaps the Bears at No. 9 would be too much of a reach.
Analyst’s take: “For a big guy, he’s got some bend to him, some athleticism, some flexibility. I don’t think he’s ever going to be an annual double-digit sack guy. But I think he’s going to be consistently productive, like seven, eight sacks per year, disrupting, strong versus the run, will give you effort. A lot of his production is based on motor, and I love that. He’s got closing burst to the quarterback and he’s relentless in pursuit. So there’s not a lot of bust potential with Murphy. He may never be elite, but I don’t think he’s going to be a bust. And that’s why I think teams think he’s going to be safe in the first round.” — McShay
Darnell Wright, Tennessee offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-5, 333.
Why the Bears will draft him: Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., widely regarded as the most dangerous pass-rushing prospect in this class, singled out Wright as the most difficult offensive tackle he competed against during his college career. During Tennessee’s 52-49 defeat of Alabama in October, Wright completely neutralized Anderson and showed off his upside. That counts for something. So does Wright’s frame. He has prototypical size for the position and blends that with an aggressive playing style that would endear him to Poles and Eberflus. If the Bears feel confident that left tackle Braxton Jones’ developmental arc will continue on a steep upward climb, Wright would make a lot of sense on the right side as a likely plug-and-play Week 1 starter. There’s a lot of buzz around the league about who Wright can be as both a bulldozing run blocker and a sturdy wall in pass protection. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick might be the most bullish on Wright, believing he will be a sure-fire All-Pro — maybe as early as his rookie season.
Why they won’t: With three other highly regarded tackle prospects at the top of the draft board, it may be a pick-your-flavor scenario for Poles and the Bears. Skoronski, Johnson or Jones might be more appealing for what the Bears want to do up front. There are questions about Wright’s mobility and inconsistent technique, and he lacks elite athleticism, which could become problematic against some of the top-tier pass rushers.
Analyst’s take: “He’s a mauler. He started 42 games at Tennessee. Watch him against Travon Walker at left tackle (in 2021). Watch him at right tackle this past year against Will Anderson. Watch him against the elite players in college football and watch him eliminate them and shut them out. Then you just watch how he moves bodies. His power is real. His base is good. Everybody needs to be coached in this business. It’s a different game in the NFL than it is in college. But there’s an awful lot to like about his size, about his movement, about his power, about his mentality, about his experience.” — NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger
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