Ryan Poles revitalizes Chicago Bears roster in this early 2023 mock draft

Darnell Mooney and Velus Jones Jr.: The only two wide receivers on the Bears’ 2023 payroll as we speak.

It is a foregone conclusion that this position will get a major overhaul next year, and we start out by seeing the Bears select their future number one guy at pick no. 5 overall. So, how’d we get there?

First, it must be mentioned that our simulator put the Bears at no. 3 in draft order. But, by executing a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, the Bears moved back to no. 5 while netting the no. 24 pick in the process — Seattle is 100 percent going after either C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young with that pick.

Now, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is widely regarded as the draft’s number one overall wide receiver, and why wouldn’t he be? Ohio State has recently become wide receiver university. The Bears have the Ohio State connection with Justin Fields, which will be just one more reason he’s happy to have Smith-Njigba On board.

But, this kid is the real deal. There isn’t a lot he doesn’t do well. In fact, the only real negative that can be said about Smith-Njigba Is that he has average size at just six feet tall. But, he has the entire package beyond that.

Smith-Njigba has killer short-distance speed, being able to cut on a dime and change direction in a hurry. His route running is the number one reason why he finds himself constantly open and in a position to make big plays. Not only is he quick, and a great route runner, but Smith-Njigba possesses elite hands. He is a natural catcher of the football, and rarely uses his body.

For those who follow football even casually, Smith-Njigba is going to be a name they will come to know if they don’t already. This is a home run for the Bears, and Chicago’s offense improves drastically at the blink of an eye.