The Off-season is finally here for NFL Teams out of the playoff race, which means it’s also mock season. Since the Bears clinched the number one overall pick after a Lovie Smith miracle, a lot of speculation has surfaced regarding whether they will trade down or not. Today I hope to answer many fans’ questions by making the most accurate mock draft I can think of for the Chicago Bears. Keep in mind these are just my predictions; Ryan Poles could take a different approach in the draft, but I’d find it hard to believe so.
To start things, I made the easy decision to trade down to the Indianapolis Colts’ fourth overall pick. The Colts general manager Chris Ballard has made it clear that he will do whatever it takes to draft a franchise quarterback. By trading up to the number one overall pick, the Colts get to choose anyone off the board before their rival Houston Texans pick second. The trade breakdown goes as follows: The Colts received the first overall pick, the 64th overall pick, Chicago’s third-round pick in 2025, and second-year receiver Velus Jones Jr; The Bears received the fourth-overall pick, the 35th overall pick, Indianapolis’ 2024 first-round pick, and star receiver Michael Pittman Jr. This trade gives the Chicago Bears a stock load of draft capital for the next to years and a new threat for Justin Fields on offense. Now onto the mock.
Fourth Overall: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
2022 Stats: 51 Total Tackles (24 Solo), Ten Sacks, One Interception
PFF Grade: A+
35th Overall: Josh Downs, Wide Receiver, North Carolina
2022 Stats: 94 Receptions, 1,029 Yards, 11 Touchdowns
PFF Grade: A-
54th Overall: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
2022 Stats: 46 Total Tackles (31 Solo), 8.5 Sacks, Two Forced Fumbles
PFF Grade: A-
103rd Overall: Dorian Williams, Linebacker, Tulane
2022 Stats: 131 Total Tackles (81 Solo), Five Sacks, Two Forced Fumbles, Two Interceptions
PFF Grade: B+
137th Overall: Israel Abanikanda, Halfback, Pittsburgh
2022 Stats: 239 Rush Attempts, 1,431 Rushing Yards, 20 Touchdowns
PFF Grade: B-
150th Overall: Riley Moss, Cornerback, Iowa
2022 Stats: 46 Tackles (31 Solo), Two Forced Fumbles, One Interception
PFF Grade: B
178th Overall: Ryan Hayes, Tackle, Michigan
Game Performance Weighted Ratings: 76% Pass Blocking, 74% Run Blocking
PFF Grade: B+
199th Overall: Jake Bobo, Wide Receiver, UCLA
2022 Stats: 57 Receptions, 817 Yards, Seven Touchdowns
PFF Grade: A-
220th Overall: Drake Thomas, Linebacker, North Carolina State
2022 Stats: 101 Total Tackles (50 Solo), 7.5 Sacks
Overall, PFF gave me an A- for this mock draft. This magnitude of players will help the Bears on both sides of the football. Will Anderson Jr. and Felix Anudike Uzomah will be expected to be difference makers early on, while Jake Riley Moss and Drake Thomas will be great pieces for depth and development. As always, things could go a different route. The Bears could not pick up the phone on draft night and take Jalen Carter or Will Anderson Jr. first overall or possibly trade down with a Quaterback-needy team in exchange for a proven veteran and draft capital. As the 2023 NFL Draft gets closer, things will only heat up, and I’m so excited to see what moves Ryan Poles and company make. Until then, we’ll keep on publishing mock drafts, trying to decipher every permutation possible.
